The Chinese could step in by bribing off the pirate leaders and killing anybody else who dissents. The PRC would reap benefits from gaining defacto control of the Horn of Africa, which would include a navy base (airfields?) and potential cooperation of a bunch of trouble makers who want to attack western interests (by granting them a new sanctuary). All of this right under the nose of the hand ringing west and the bumbling Russians.

 

Interesting idea.  

 

Check Six

 

Rocky

 

 

I personally think think they would get stuck in a quagmire, and have to leave due to supply issues. Muslim terrorists with their suicide bombing etc. Contrary to popular belief, China does not have so many more properly trained and equipped troops than the US.

PRC uses connections with AlQueda/Pakistan to cement a freindship with the Somali warlords. That and old fashioned terrorism (kill everybody who disagrees with them). This quiets down piracy but at the expense of PLA control of the Horn of Africa. They don't take over the whole country just the coastal areas they deem required for a strategic base in the Gulf area.