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By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
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A Newsweek map shows China has publicly deployed at least five groups of vessels on missions in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific as Beijing extends its naval presence.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why It Matters
According to a Pentagon assessment, China's navy has more than 370 ships and submarines, making it the world's largest warship fleet by hull number. This helps Beijing project its power and assert its influence beyond East Asia, safeguard its global interests and gain valuable operational experience.
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Chinese naval overseas missions include those officially announced, such as counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and providing humanitarian services across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, the South Pacific and the Americas.
During missions not officially announced but often reported by foreign countries, China aims to bolster its capabilities to counter the United States' island chain strategy, which seeks to contain Beijng's activities in the Pacific by leveraging U.S. and allied territories.
What To Know
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The Chinese navy sent the 48th Escort Task Group—consisting of the destroyer CNS Tangshan, the frigate CNS Daqing and the supply ship CNS Taihu—on October 11 to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia to replace the 47th Escort Task Group.
The mission of the 48th Escort Task Group is to safeguard international sea lanes and regional peace and stability, China's Defense Ministry said. The group conducted its first at-sea replenishment since its departure in the South China Sea on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the 47th Escort Task Group—consisting of the destroyer CNS Baotou, the frigate CNS Honghe and the supply ship CNS Gaoyouhu—remained on deployment, according to China's Defense Ministry. The group departed China in December 2024.
The Baotou, which was patrolling waters off East Africa, arrived at Kenya's port of Mombasa on Saturday for a five-day replenishment, Chinese media reported. This marked the first time a Chinese naval vessel has docked in Kenya in six years.
In the South Pacific, the Chinese hospital ship CNS Silk Road Ark continued a medical mission known as Harmony 2025. It arrived in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on October 13 for a seven-day visit after stops in Nauru and Fiji and ahead of a visit to Latin America.
China has also deployed two naval flotillas on Southeast Asian missions. The destroyer CNS Yinchuan, the amphibious landing ship CNS Jinggangshan and the corvette CNS Jingmen arrived at Malaysia's port of Klang for Exercise Peace and Friendship 2025.
The joint war game began on October 15 and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. It focuses on maritime security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, featuring more than 1,000 military personnel.
As part of an ocean-going training mission, the amphibious transport dock CNS Yimengshan and the training ship CNS Qi Jiguang arrived at Thailand's Sattahip Port on October 16 for a four-day visit. They are then scheduled to visit Singapore.
What People Are Saying
The Pentagon's Chinese military power report 2024 commented: "[People's Liberation Army] concepts and capabilities focus on projecting power far from China's shores…The PLA has embraced its concept of non-war military activities (NWMA) as an effective way to secure the [People's Republic of China]'s global interests with military force while gaining valuable operational experience."
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said on Friday: "During its visit to the South Pacific, the Silk Road Ark builds friendship and saves lives, and therefore is called a ship of hope and an envoy of peace. Setting sail with benevolence and compassion, the [People's Liberation Army Navy] hospital ships have brought health and hope to people throughout the globe."
What Happens Next
The Chinese military is likely to continue its overseas naval missions as part of efforts to bolster its reach and presence worldwide and challenge U.S. military dominance.
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