Djibouti is iirc explicitly for the purpose of protecting shipping, a huge part of chinese export to Europe come through Red Sea and there was high pirate activity there so China send PLAN ships to protect their trade, i remeber watching videos with chinese frigates escorting small ship convoys.
Of course, though that responsibility is regulated by the UN to protect shipping lanes from pirates, terrorists, and hijackers in the Red Sea and Indian Oceans. So the PLAN, US Navy, British, French, and a large number of world navies participate and take turns protecting shipping.
Djibouti is iirc explicitly for the purpose of protecting shipping, a huge part of chinese export to Europe come through Red Sea and there was high pirate activity there so China send PLAN ships to protect their trade, i remeber watching videos with chinese frigates escorting small ship convoys.
Of course, though that responsibility is regulated by the UN to protect shipping lanes from pirates, terrorists, and hijackers in the Red Sea and Indian Oceans. So the PLAN, US Navy, British, French, and a large number of world navies participate and take turns protecting shipping.