China has sent a new naval fleet for escort missions from a military port in Qingdao, eastern China, to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the newly deployed fleet includes the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, the guided-missile frigate Daqing, and a supply ship. It is also equipped with two helicopters and several dozen special operations personnel.
The escort task groups will take concrete actions to build a maritime community with a shared future, and safeguard international sea lanes and regional peace and stability.
The PLA Navy began conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in December 2008
