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Chinese navy steers a course for African ports in Beijing’s renewed diplomatic push
- The PLA Navy has begun increasing its visits to African ports after the practice was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic
- The visits help cement diplomatic ties, show China’s naval capabilities and display military hardware to African customers, experts say
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The Chinese navy has stepped up its port calls around Africa as part of Beijing’s growing military diplomacy with the continent.
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After the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) paused many of its African port visits during the pandemic, it is getting back to full strength again in a bid to cement diplomatic ties as well as show off military hardware, according to observers.
Earlier this week, China’s 45th naval fleet, including guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, missile frigate Linyi and comprehensive replenishment vessel Dongpinghu, visited Madagascar after a visit to Tanzania and Mozambique last month. Such visits were an established practice before the Covid-19 pandemic threw them into disarray.
On March 23, the ships arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for a five-day stopover before heading to the port of Maputo in Mozambique on April 1 for another five-day tour.
While in Tanzania, representatives visited the Dar es Salaam Station of the Tazara Railway, as well as the Chinese Experts Cemetery where they paid their respects to those who died during the railway’s construction.
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Before that, the 45th naval fleet had completed an anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
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