China’s nuclear sub mission in Gulf of Aden ‘could cause unease among neighbours’

A Chinese nuclear submarine has completed an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, demonstrating the navy's ability to operate in waters far from home.

Military analysts said the deployment would cause unease among China's neighbours, but that Beijing would deploy more vessels to far-flung regions as it broadened its political and investment interests overseas.

The military channel of state-run CCTV said on Sunday that the submarine patrolled the Gulf of Aden for more than two months, escorting two ships and a supply vessel, but had since returned to its base in Qingdao , Shandong province.

The report did not specify the type of submarine, but some commentators say the footage suggests it was an updated version of a Type 091.

CCTV interviewed Deputy Commander Yu Zhengqiang, who said the crew had to overcome many obstacles during the mission.

"First, there were concerns about all the equipment and facilities, and second [we had to] deal with various challenges while sailing in totally unknown waters, which was complicated by military intelligence issues," he said.

It is the first time state media has reported on the submarine's mission in the Gulf of Aden, though there has been speculation about it in overseas media.