The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China has confirmed the departure from Qingdao of a new naval task detachment bound for the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, integrated into the 48th Escort Fleet. The news was announced by Ministry of Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin, who confirmed that the Task Group is composed of the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, the guided-missile frigate Daqing, and the comprehensive supply ship Taihu, accompanied by two embarked helicopters and a detachment of special operations forces.
With this new mission on the African continent, Beijing reaffirms its maritime security strategy initiated in 2008 and consistently strengthened in recent years. In February 2024, China deployed a similar task force to the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast to ensure the protection of international shipping routes. That mission included a Type 052C destroyer, a Type 054A frigate, and a Type 903A supply ship, which operated for six months in a critical area for global trade, escorting dozens of merchant vessels against piracy and maritime terrorism.
Spokesperson Jiang Bin emphasized that these deployments are part of “concrete actions to build a maritime community with a shared future” and contribute to “safeguarding regional peace and stability.” The 48th Task Group is expected to relieve the previous fleet, ensure the security of navigation routes between Asia, Africa, and Europe, and cooperate with naval units from other countries in anti-crime exercises and search and rescue missions.
The selection of Tangshan, Daqing, and Taihu for this new detachment aims to guarantee a continuous and rotational presence in an operational area far from the ships’ home bases, following the pattern of other task force deployments composed of a destroyer, a frigate, and a logistical support ship. The Tangshan is equipped with HQ-16 vertical-launch missile systems for the group’s air defense, while the Daqing provides YJ-83 anti-ship missiles and multipurpose capabilities. The Taihu enables at-sea replenishment of fuel, water, and other supplies to extend the operational range and duration of the vessels.
With the operational reinforcement in October 2025, the Chinese Navy has completed 48 escort rotations in these waters, further demonstrating the growing projection capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Surface Fleet. The transition from a brown-water navy to a blue-water navy is now an indisputable fact. Currently, the fleet is in a phase of consolidation and continuous expansion, operating increasingly farther from its coasts on a periodic and sustained basis.
Photographs: Chinese Navy
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