China’s 49th naval escort fleet has arrived in the Gulf of Aden as African countries move to establish a new regional mechanism to tackle piracy, highlighting renewed security concerns along a maritime corridor linking the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
The Chinese fleet left Sanya on August 12 with the guided-missile destroyer Kunming, guided-missile frigate Yueyang and comprehensive supply ship Luomahu. It is also carrying two shipborne helicopters and dozens of special operations personnel.
