As the conflict between Israel and Palestine intensifies, two US carriers are stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, while the Israeli military continues to amass troops, signaling a potential move into Gaza. At this critical juncture, the UK’s “The Sun” suddenly claimed that six ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) have been dispatched to the Middle East in response to the deteriorating situation.
In reality, “The Sun’s” report is merely sensationalist. Although the PLA has six warships near the Middle East, they weren’t dispatched because of the Israel-Palestine conflict. These six ships are from the PLA Navy’s 44th and 45th escort squadrons, primarily tasked with escorting ships in the Gulf of Aden. Both squadrons arrived in the Gulf of Aden well before the conflict, thus they have no direct connection to the situation. The Sun’s headline is simply an exaggeration.
To provide a timeline: on September 12th, the 45th escort squadron, consisting of the missile destroyer Urumqi, missile frigate Linyi, and supply ship Dongping Lake, set sail from Qingdao, Shandong, heading to the Gulf of Aden to relieve the 44th escort squadron.
On October 2nd, a departure ceremony took place between the 44th and 45th squadrons. The 44th squadron then embarked on visits to Middle Eastern countries along the Arabian Sea coast, while the 45th squadron moved on to patrol the Gulf of Aden-Somali waters.
On October 7th, a new round of Israel-Palestine conflict erupted. Three days later, the 44th escort squadron just arrived in Muscat, Oman’s capital, for a five-day friendly visit. The visit to Oman marked the beginning of their tour.
On October 14th, the 44th escort squadron concluded its visit to Oman, departing from Muscat and conducting a brief joint maritime exercise with the Royal Omani Navy. On the morning of the 18th, they arrived at Kuwait’s Shuwaikh port for a five-day visit. On the 22nd, they left Shuwaikh and later conducted a joint exercise with the Kuwaiti Navy in nearby waters.
In other words, since the onset of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the two Chinese squadrons in the vicinity of the Middle East have been on visitation or escort missions. They never ventured close to the Red Sea or the Eastern Mediterranean, let alone intervening in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
However, if the Middle East situation deteriorates further, with the scale and intensity of the Israel-Palestine conflict escalating and affecting other nations and areas crucial to China’s interests and citizens’ safety, the PLA Navy escort squadrons might alter their mission. If that happens, the six warships will prove invaluable.
There’s precedent for such action. In 2015, when the Yemeni civil war broke out, the 19th PLA escort squadron, then patrolling the Gulf of Aden, was immediately dispatched to Yemen’s Aden and Hodeidah ports for evacuation operations. This mission was carried out by the Linyi, Weifang, and Weishan Lake ships, along with their special forces. After several tense days, the PLA Navy successfully evacuated 670 Chinese nationals and an additional 279 foreign nationals from 10 different countries.
In 2023, civil war erupted in Sudan, potentially endangering Chinese citizens there. The PLA Navy was again deployed, with the 43rd escort squadron’s Nanning and Weishan Lake ships heading to the Red Sea coast for evacuations. These actions showcased the PLA’s might and benevolence, reflecting China’s responsible global role.
The fact that “The Sun” suddenly paid attention to a long-standing Chinese deployment suggests that the presence of the PLA in the region is seen as a potential deterrent. The Red Sea is indeed a sensitive area, directly accessible to southern Israel and a weak point in Israel’s defense system. The US Navy, positioned at the northern part of the Red Sea, has assisted Israel in fending off attacks from the south, previously intercepting 19 cruise missiles and drones.
The recent Israel-Palestine conflict further emphasizes the importance of the PLA maintaining a naval squadron in the northern Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. This region is not only near geopolitical hotspots but is also crucial for China’s maritime energy and trade routes. Maintaining a presence allows China to rapidly respond to unforeseen events.
Since 2008, the PLA Navy has consistently maintained an escort squadron in the Gulf of Aden, usually composed of two war frigates and one supply ship. This consistent presence is vital for safeguarding our sea routes and reacting swiftly to situations in the Middle East and North Africa, as exemplified by the Yemen and Sudan evacuations.
Through continuous overseas deployment, the PLA Navy has amassed vast experience, tested equipment, and trained officers and soldiers in distant seas operations. This has laid a solid foundation for future missions and is invaluable for the PLA Navy.
With the naval escort squadrons and the Djibouti Logistics Support Base, the PLA’s strategy in the northern Indian Ocean and the Middle East becomes clear. Reports like “The Sun” are not only late but also lack the broader perspective. While Western media interpretations often misconstrue PLA actions, creating a threat narrative, at least they recognize the PLA’s presence and deterrent.
Source: Wang Yanan