On 14 November 2016, Operation Atalanta’s Dutch Force Commander welcomed the Commander of Chinese Escort Task Group 112, Senior Captain Bai Yaoping, aboard HNLMS Tromp.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy work alongside the EU Naval Force in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, conducting counter-piracy patrols and protecting vulnerable shipping. Regular meetings ensure cooperation between naval forces remain strong and coordination can be planned to ensure all World Food Programme ships are provided with an escort so food-aid reaches Somalia safely.

“The recent attack on CPO Korea proves the necessity of efforts in the region; as long as the threat of piracy exists we will be deployed here”, said Senior Captain Bai Yaoping. Close cooperation between Op Atalanta and the PLA naval forces deployed to the region help to ensure piracy is suppressed and seafarers off the Somali coast remain safe.