Use of Force

After abstaining from the Security Council resolution that authorises the use of force against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya, China joined other members of the BRIC group to call for an immediate cease-fire and suggest that coalition forces were imperilling civilians by exceeding the UN-mandated no-fly zone.

Use of Force

In two unprecedented moves, the PLA first sent a Navy frigate to the Libyan coast to "support and protect" the more than 30,000 Chinese nationals being evacuated from Libya on civilian ships. Later, China sent four military transport planes to take part in the evacuation of Chinese nationals from Libya.

Use of Force

China has reached consensus with other countries concerned on the division of convoy areas in the seas off the Somali coast. A Defence Ministry spokesman said China is willing to engage in anti-piracy cooperation with other countries under the framework of Security Council resolutions.

See previous post.

Use of Force

Liu Zhenmin, deputy Chinese ambassador to the UN, proposed that the countries involved in the patrol of the seas off the Somali coast should divide up "areas of responsibility" to patrol more efficiently.

Hong Kong

Use of Force

Following reports of an attack of Somali pirates on a Hong Kong vessel, a FM spokesman said China's naval escort fleet could provide necessary protection to HK vessels if need be.

Use of Force

Law of the Sea

A coal-laden Chinese cargo ship with 25 crew members was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, about 700 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. As Chinese naval vessels steamed towards the ship, a Defence Ministry official said China would not rule out the use of force to rescue the Chinese crew.

On 28 December 2009, a FM spokesman announced that the hijacked ship and crew had been released, reportedly after paying US$4 million in ransom.

Use of Force
Law of the Sea

The PLA must have taken the Somali pirates really seriously as China dispatched her third naval flotilla to escort merchant ships through the waters off the Somali coast, which included China's most advanced guided missile frigate. The move appears a bit odd, considering the naval mission was supposed to be "not striking [the pirates] but dispersing them."