As maritime crimes continue to frustrate trade along Indian Ocean waters, economic stability and prosperity across the nations bordering these waters remains a challenge. A November 2013 World Bank/UN report said pirates operating off the Horn of Africa netted more than $400 million in ransom money between 2005 and 2012.

Although hijackings in the region have dropped significantly since last year, piracy could still cost the global economy 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 carrying half of the world’s container ships, the Indian Ocean is a key commercial zone for many African, Asian and Western economies. In addition, African countries depend on the Indian Ocean for cooperation with Asia. International collaboration is therefore crucial in the fight against piracy, illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking, financing illegal weapons, oil spills and other environmental crimes that threaten to weaken the continent.

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

China responded well to the challenge and has successfully undertaken navy escort missions and anti-piracy operations in the region. The UN Security Council encouraged willing nations to provide financial and technical training, capacity building and maritime crime prosecutions. In response to the calls, China has dispatched 14 flotillas as part of international anti-piracy operations in the region. The Chinese Navy works closely with naval forces from the United States, NATO and the European Union, in joint military offensives along the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa coastline. Each group of Chinese vessels, called task forces, serves in the sea for a specified period of at least six months. Currently the 16th Task Force is in the Indian Ocean waters.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan has said that providing security within the Indian Ocean is an enormous job that no nation can accomplish alone. “It is only possible through coordinated collective efforts and teamwork. We must improve ability to communicate and coordinate with each other in order to increase our capacity to counter problems such as trafficking of people and illegal materials, narcotics and illegal fishing,” he said.

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

Li Xiangdong, Chief of Staff of the 15th Task Force, said Chinese warships have protected both military and civilian ships off the East African coast. He spoke during a four-day stopover in Kenya in January, where Chinese Navy officers discussed equipment maintenance with their Kenyan counterparts.

“China has become a player and builder of international peace and security. The times and tides of the 21st century point to China’s new reading that seeks bonds of cooperation, peace and prosperity. China has sent a total of 16 task forces of ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia for escort missions. Among the over 5,000 vessels they have escorted, half are foreign vessels,” he said.

Between March 13-16, 2014, a stakeholders’ Conference on the Political Economy of Maritime Africa in the Indian Ocean Region shared knowledge and built synergies in addressing maritime security.

“China, like many nations, believes in stability, security and prosperity of all countries on the Indian Ocean rim. Chinese Navy’s mission into Indian Ocean waters is one more milestone in Beijing’s increasingly bold maritime posture in the region,” Ambassador K.V. Bhagirath, Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association, told the meeting.