By Malcolm Moore in Shanghai
Published: 2:09PM GMT 30 Dec 2009

In a sign of the growing confidence of the Chinese military, Admiral Yin
Zhuo said that the country may set up a base in the Gulf of Aden in
order to support missions against Somali pirates.

Since the end of last year, China has sent four flotillas to the Middle
East in order to take part in anti-piracy operations together with US,
European, Indian and Russian warships. The latest mission, which
departed from China in October, involved two missile frigates.

Mr Yin said a permanent base in the region would help supply Chinese
ships. "We are not saying we need our navy everywhere in order to fulfil
our international commitments," he said, cautiously. "We are saying to
fulfil our international commitments, we need to strengthen our supply
capacity."

His words, which came just a few days after China rescued 25 sailors
from Somali pirates, were posted in an interview on the Defence ministry
website. China is reported to have paid a USD4 million (Pounds2.5
million) ransom to free the De Xin Hai, a coal carrier.

Mr Yin, who is a senior researcher at the navy's Equipment Research
centre, pointed out that the first Chinese ships in the Gulf of Aden
spent 124 days at sea without docking, a logistical challenge.

However, Chinese ships have since been permitted to dock at a French base.

"If China establishes a similar long-term supply base, I believe that
the nations in the region and the other countries involved with the
(anti-pirate) escorts would understand," he said. "I think a permanent,
stable base would be good for our operations."

Yin added he was aware that Chinese naval ships in the waters near the
Gulf have aroused suspicions, but believed other nations understood
Beijing's intention was to counter pirates. As the world's largest
importer of oil, China is believed to want to establish bases throughout
the Indian Ocean and South China Sea to protect its tankers.

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