China sends escort fleet to Somali waters

Email|Print|Comments       twitter     facebook     Sina Microblog     reddit    

ZHANJIANG, Guangdong, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- A 15th Chinese naval squad departed for escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters on Thursday.

The squad, sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, left from Zhanjiang, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong Province.

It is expected to arrive at the eastern sea areas of the Gulf of Aden in late August to succeed the 14th escort fleet currently conducting missions in Somali waters.

The 15th convoy fleet comprises three ships -- amphibious docking vessel Jinggangshan and missile frigate Hengshui from the navy's Nanhai Fleet, and supply ship Taihu from the Beihai Fleet -- carrying three helicopters and 800 troops.

This is the first time that three ships have been dispatched for these Somali missions.

China sent its first convoy fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters in December 2008.

• 15th Chinese naval escort taskforce holds rally before sailing to Gulf of Aden
• Chinese naval training vessel Zheng He visits S. Korea
• PLA Navy training ship to visit ROK, Malaysia
• Chinese escort taskforce holds cultural exchanges in Djibouti
• 'Peace Ark' hospital ship leaves Gulf of Aden
• Navy Day celebrated in St. Petersburg, Russia
• Top Chinese admiral to visit US this year
• Chief of Singaporean Navy visits South China Sea Fleet

We Recommend

• Air Forces arrive at designated area to join China-Russia drill
  
• China’s weekly story (2013.7.27-8.2)
• Top 25 museums in the world in 2013
• National Geographic Traveler 2013 Photo Competition
• Autumn begins, not in terms of temperatures
• Photo story: Will Wulin gain its former fame