LOC12:46
09:46 GMT
TOKYO, Dec 26 (KUNA) -- Chinese warships set sail on Friday from a port on
the southern island Hainan for Somalian to take part in an escort mission
against piracy, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Two destroyers and the supply ship will cruise for about 10 days to arrive
in the Gulf of Aden, joining the multinational patrol in one of the world's
busiest sea lanes where surging piracy endangers international shipping,
Xinhua said.
This marks the first time Chinese warships have patrolled outside of
Chinese waters since the formation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
The fleet will carry about 800 crew members, including 70 soldiers from the
Navy's special force. It's equipped with missiles, cannons and light weapons.
"All crew members have full confidence in their ability to fulfill the
escort mission," the commander, Rear-Admiral Du Jingchen, told Xinhua at a
send-off ceremony before the fleet departed.
The escort fleet will protect Chinese vessels and crews, including those
from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, that seek protection when passing through
the area, as well as foreign ships upon request.
The first phase of the mission will last for three months and the navy will
send new ships to relieve the fleet at an appropriate time, depending on the
situation and the UN Security Council decision, according to the report.
It will also help ships carrying humanitarian relief for international
organizations such as the UN World Food Program.
The Defense Ministry officially announced the deployment on Tuesday, saying
that China will observe UN resolutions and international laws in fulfilling
its obligations.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said 1,265 Chinese commercial
vessels had passed through the Gulf of Aden so far this year and seven had
been attacked. One fishing ship and 18 crew members were still being held by
pirates.
Britain, France, Germany and Russia have already deployed destroyers and
other naval vessels off Somalia to counter rampant piracy. (end)
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KUNA 261246 Dec 08NNNN