In this May 24, 2014, file photo, China's Harbin (112) guided missile destroyer and DDG-139 Ningbo Sovremenny class Type-956EM destroyer, right, take part in a week-long China-Russia "Joint Sea-2014" navy exercise at the East China Sea off Shanghai, China. A Chinese navy task force wrapped up visits to four Persian Gulf states as the increasingly capable maritime force grows its presence in the strategically vital region. The three ships, including Harbin, departed Kuwait on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, after stopping in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the Defense Ministry said on its website Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. (Chinatopix via AP) (The Associated Press)
BEIJING – A Chinese navy task force has wrapped up visits to four Persian Gulf states in the latest sign of the navy's growing presence in the region.
The Defense Ministry says the three ships departed Kuwait on Sunday after stopping in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. They completed an assignment escorting commercial shipping and patrolling for pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the 24th Chinese task force to be assigned that duty since 2008.
China's navy has used the patrols to build its capacity to operate far from home ports and is building a logistics center in Djibouti widely considered to be China's first overseas military base. The Horn of Africa nation already hosts U.S., French and Japanese bases for logistical support and to facilitate African military operations.
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