China calls for attacking Somali pirate bases

Originally posted May 21, 2011 @ 14:41

BEIJING—China’s military is urging land attacks on Somali pirate strongholds in a bold call signaling the armed forces’ growing assertiveness.

China’s navy has taken part in anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since December 2008, but the government has not advocated direct attacks on land areas from which pirates operate.

However, at a news conference in Washington on Wednesday, Gen. Chen Bingde said he believes land bases must be attacked in order for counter-piracy campaigns to be effective.

The US and other countries taking part in the patrols have steered clear of land attacks for fear of becoming mired in ongoing campaigns in Somalia—a lawless nation where 18 US servicemen were killed in the capital, Mogadishu, in 1993.

As of last month, 99 Filipino seafarers on board 11 vessels were still being held by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.