PLA Navy on anti-piracy duties

PLA Navy on anti-piracy duties.

Chinese warships on their way to patrol for Somali pirates

The nineteenth Chinese naval anti-piracy task group has departed China for the Gulf of Aden as China continues with maritime patrols in the region.

Xinhua reports that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) task force left the coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong Province on December 2. It comprises the missile frigates Linyi and Weifang, as well as supply ship Weishanhu, with two helicopters and more than 700 troops. It is the first time that two frigates are being used for such maritime security patrols.

Xinhua noted that China sent its first convoy fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters in December 2008. The previous 18 fleets have escorted more than 5 800 Chinese and foreign vessels and successfully rescued or aided more than 60 ships.

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Source: defenceweb.co.za