The “first” of China navy fleets in ten years of escort history

1. First convoy formation

On December 26, 2008 PLA Navy Wuhan, Haikou, and Weishanhu warships sailed from Sanya to carry out escort missions in Somali waters in the Gulf of Aden. This is the first time that the People’s Republic of China used military forces overseas to safeguard its national strategic interests, fulfill its international humanitarian obligations, and defend important transport routes.

2. First convoy mission

On January 6, 2009 the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy began its first convoy mission, accompanying four Chinese merchant ships from Sanya to Gulf of Aden.

3. First evacuation mission

On March 26, 2015 the PLA Navy completed the evacuation of 897 people from Yemen, including hundreds of Chinese citizens, under the threat of artillery attack.

4. First armed rescue of a foreign ship

On April 9, 2017 the PLA Navy intercepted a Tuvalu cargo ship that had been boarded and hijacked by pirates in Gulf of Aden. Sixteen members of a navy special forces team boarded the ship, rescued the crew, and captured three pirates.

5. First round-the-world visit

On April 3, 2015 after completing an escort mission, a PLA Navy fleet visited 13 countries, including Egypt, Sweden, the United States, Cuba, and Australia. The 309 day voyage took the formation through three oceans and five continents, and it berthed in 18 ports in 16 countries. The mission set a record in China for being the longest voyage to pass through the most sea areas and countries.

6. First Award for Special Services in Shipping and Human Beings

On November 23, 2009 the PLA Navy Wuhan, Haikou, Shenzhen, Huangshan, and Weishanhu fleets were awarded the Special Service Award for Shipping and Human Beings by the IMO, International Maritime Organization.