On the afternoon of 2 March, EU NAVFOR hosted a visit by the Major General Li Ning, Defence Counsellor Chinese Mission to the European Union.
The Chinese delegation was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA. The delegation was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved recently. During their visit the Chinese delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).
Maj Gen Li Ning had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states. He also met the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who run MSCHOA and who work alongside their military colleagues.
The Chinese delegation was extremely impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team. The Head of delegation stated that he “looked forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with EU NAVFOR and other coalition partners and to strengthening the bonds of friendship between EU NAVFOR and the Chinese task force in the Gulf of Aden”.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
The Chinese delegation was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA. The delegation was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved recently. During their visit the Chinese delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).
Maj Gen Li Ning had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states. He also met the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who run MSCHOA and who work alongside their military colleagues.
The Chinese delegation was extremely impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team. The Head of delegation stated that he “looked forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with EU NAVFOR and other coalition partners and to strengthening the bonds of friendship between EU NAVFOR and the Chinese task force in the Gulf of Aden”.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.