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China's escort fleet completes 150 missions in Somali waters

2009-12-28 09:21 BJT

Special Report: China navy escorting mission |

GULF OF ADEN, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's naval fleet has completed 150 missions after escorting 14 vessels to protect them from possible pirate attacks in Somali waters on Sunday.

The 11 Chinese and three foreign ships, including Yongsheng, Zhen Hua 14, Anning and Apollo, arrived peacefully in the waters of the eastern Gulf of Aden under the escort of China's missile frigate Ma'anshan and supply ship Qiandaohu.

They set sailed on Friday morning from the waters of the western Gulf of Arden and travelled eastward.

During their journey, all the Chinese ships were flying the Chinese national flag and whistled for 30 seconds to celebrate the anniversary of the Chinese navy escort mission in the Gulf of Adenand express thanks to the fleet over the year.

China made an unprecedented move by sending three warships to the Gulf on Dec. 26 last year in the first overseas escort mission for merchant vessels. The navy warships have escorted more than 1,300 domestic and foreign vessels since the first flotilla arrived in the region.

Editor: Zhang Ning | Source: Xinhua