The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

of this PLAN fleet clearly has implications for
future operations outside of China. It also goes
along with China’s quest for maritime power.
China is fortunate to have UN sanctions for this
mission. It is able to conduct a “unilateral approach
under a multilateral aegis.”
• Limited U.S. response to piracy in the Horn of
Africa arguably offered China a particularly
useful strategic opportunity in this regard.
• Platform capability is adequate. China sends
its best fleet; although a little oversized for the
mission, it is nevertheless well suited for it. At
the writing of this volume, China has rotated in
five task forces and warships from a variety of
classes have participated. See Table on p. 305.
• Rules of engagement are well observed. China
strictly follows UN authorization and obtained
Somalia government approval to act. It projects
the image of a responsible stakeholder.
• The operation is a valuable training opportunity
for the PLA Navy. Significant logistics capabilities
constitute the vital backbone of the mission;
their largely commercial nature suggests
dynamism and sustainability that could make
future efforts in this area both feasible and affordable.
• The PLAN tests a variety of capabilities such
as satellite tracking and communication, sustained
logistic support, and replenishment.
• China is attaining a new level of blue-water
experience with a mission that requires rapid
response, underway replenishment, on-station
information-sharing, and calls in foreign ports
to take on supplies and engage in diplomacy.
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