Keeping the Pirates at Bay

　　As maritime crimes continue to frustrate tradealong Indian Ocean waters， economic stability and prosperityacross the nations bordering these waters remains a challenge.

　　A November 2013 World Bank/UN report said piratesoperating off the Horn of Africa netted more than $400million in ransom money between 2005 and 2012.

　　Although hijackings in the region have dropped significantlysince last year， piracy could still cost the globaleconomy an estimated $18 billion annually， according to the“Pirates of Somalia： Ending the Threat， Rebuilding a Nation”report， launched in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

　　As a lifeline strategic route for global trade and carryinghalf of the world’s container ships， the Indian Ocean is a keycommercial zone for many African， Asian and Western economies.

　　In addition， African countries depend on the IndianOcean for cooperation with Asia. International collaboration istherefore crucial in the fight against piracy， illegal fishing， drugand human trafficking， financing illegal weapons， oil spillsand other environmental crimes that threaten to weaken thecontinent.

　　Consequently， the UN Security Council resolution of 2008urged all countries to help patrol the Indian Ocean， whereincreasing piracy was endangering international shipping inone of the world’s busiest sea lanes.

　　China responded well to the challenge and has successfullyundertaken navy escort missions and anti-piracyoperations in the region. The UN Security Council encouragedwilling nations to provide financial and technical training，capacity building and maritime crime prosecutions. Inresponse to the calls， China has dispatched 14 flotillas as partof international anti-piracy operations in the region. The ChineseNavy works closely with naval forces from the UnitedStates， NATO and the European Union， in joint military offensivesalong the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa coastline.

　　Each group of Chinese vessels， called task forces， serves inthe sea for a specified period of at least six months. Currentlythe 16th Task Force is in the Indian Ocean waters.

　　Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan has said thatproviding security within the Indian Ocean is an enormousjob that no nation can accomplish alone. “It is only possiblethrough coordinated collective efforts and teamwork. Wemust improve ability to communicate and coordinate witheach other in order to increase our capacity to counterproblems such as trafficking of people and illegal materials，narcotics and illegal fishing，” he said.

　　During the Third International Counter-Piracy Conferencein Dubai and New Deal for Somalia Conference in Brussels，both held in September 2013， Zhong Jianhua， Special Representativeon African Affairs of the Chinese Government， committedto bring greater stability to the Gulf of Aden. Followingthe commitment， China has become a major role player inthe Gulf， positively engaging the international community inaddressing these maritime challenges.

　　Li Xiangdong， Chief of Staff of the 15th Task Force， saidChinese warships have protected both military and civilianships off the East African coast. He spoke during a four-daystopover in Kenya in January， where Chinese Navy officersdiscussed equipment maintenance with their Kenyancounterparts.

　　“China has become a player and builder of internationalpeace and security. The times and tides of the 21st centurypoint to China’s new reading that seeks bonds of cooperation，peace and prosperity. China has sent a total of 16 taskforces of ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia forescort missions. Among the over 5，000 vessels they haveescorted， half are foreign vessels，” he said.

　　Between March 13-16， 2014， a stakeholders’ Conferenceon the Political Economy of Maritime Africa in the IndianOcean Region shared knowledge and built synergies in addressingmaritime security.

　　“China， like many nations， believes in stability， securityand prosperity of all countries on the Indian Ocean rim.

　　Chinese Navy’s mission into Indian Ocean waters is one moremilestone in Beijing’s increasingly bold maritime posture inthe region，” Ambassador K.V. Bhagirath， Secretary General ofIndian Ocean Rim Association， told the meeting.