17:28 03.04.2015(updated 17:38 03.04.2015) Get short URL
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China sent its 20th fleet of three warships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia to protect and escort civilian ships.The fleet consists of the missile destroyer Jinan, missile frigate Yijang and supply ship Qiandaohu. The ships left the east China port city of Zhoushan on Firday.
The fleet is equipped with two helicopters and has dozens of special operation soldiers and more than 800 officers and soldiers.
Security situations have changed around the Gulf of Aden, and anti-piracy missions near the coast of Somalia are still challenging, Du Jingchen, deputy command of China's naval force, said. He ordered the fleet to pay close attention to piracy activities and the security situation in the area.
Chinese naval ships have carried out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and near Somali territorial waters for more than six years. It has escorted nearly 6,000 Chinese and foreign ships in the area during this period.