This action was undertaken by the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China in accordance with the United Nations the Security Council resolution and its subsequent resolutions, and in light of the practice of the States concerned, Carried out with the consent of Government of Somalia. The main contents of the operation are: to protect the safety of Chinese ships and personnel sailing in the waters; Protect World Food Programme and other world organization ships carrying humanitarian supplies.
The first Chinese naval escort taskforce to Somalia set sail from the Hainan Sanya military port on 26 December , and arrived in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, on 6 January to officially begin escort work. Since , there has been a marked increase in pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden Somalia waters. In alone, there were attacks, of which 42 ships were successfully hijacked by pirates.
On November 29, , Somali Ambassador to China Somali Aweil said in an interview with Global Times that Somali government Chinese Navy are welcome to visit Somali waters at any time and place to maintain maritime peace.
He also said an invitation had been extended to China. On November 15, , the training ship Zheng He, which was on its way to visit China, organized an anti-piracy and anti-hijacking exercise.
Marine Corps members boarded a merchant ship by helicopter, quickly raided pirates , and rescued the kidnapped crew. He Yafei stated, 'China is actively considering dispatching naval vessels to the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somalia for escort missions in the near future.
