China's Anti-piracy Task Forces off Somalia Continue Even When Piracy Is Largely Over

 The South China Morning Post published on 26 October 2025 an article titled "Somali Piracy Has Waned, So Why Is China's Navy Still in the Gulf of Aden?" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

The Somali piracy problem largely ended in 2013, but the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) continues to send naval task forces on a regular basis to its naval base in Djibouti for patrolling in the Gulf of Aden.  

The reasons for continuing the task forces are clear.  The naval force for combatting a problem that mostly no longer exists provide a reason to show China's flag in the region, provide training for naval personnel in the far seas, and test ships and equipment under harsh climate conditions.  It helps the PLAN build its blue water navy.   

China's Aircraft Carriers: Full Steam Ahead?

The Diplomat published on 7 February 2017 an article titled "China's Aircraft Carriers: Full Steam Ahead?" by Jeff M. Smith at the American Foreign Policy Council.

This is a good update of the progress China has made in developing an aircraft carrier capacity with the long-term goal of having a blue water navy.

Chinese Military Base Likely Prospect in Djibouti

Michel Arseneault of Radio France Internationale did a four minute interview with me on 11 May 2015 titled "Chinese Military Base on Cards in Horn of Africa."  The request for the interview stemmed from the interview with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh that China is in the process of negotiating with Djibouti for a military base there.  Spokespersons in China have neither confirmed nor denied the discussions.  The United States, France and Japan already have military bases in Djibouti. 

Arseneault also published a piece on this subject titled "'Historic' Chinese Military Base to Open in Horn of Africa."  

China's Maritime Strategy

The Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University published in April 2015 a study titled "China Moves Out: Stepping Stones Toward a New Maritime Strategy" by Christopher H. Sharman, a US Navy officer studying at the National Defense University.  While the study focuses on China's maritime strategy in the Pacific Ocean, it also looks at future strategy in the Indian Ocean, which has implications for Africa and island nations in the Western Indian Ocean.