Chinese navy continuously escorting ships

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-19-2009 12:24

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After successfully carrying out several escort missions, the Chinese Navy is now carrying out around-the-clock protection in the waters off Somalia. Their aim is to help expedite the passage of Chinese merchant ships.

After successfully carrying out several escort missions,  the Chinese Navy is now carrying out around-the-clock  protection in the waters off Somalia. Their aim is to help  expedite the passage of Chinese merchant ships.

Three Chinese merchant ships were escorted by the fleet on Saturday, after the ships requested their assistance on Friday morning. One of the ships was from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The fleet, two destroyers and one supply ship, first arrived in waters off the Somali coast early this month.

Carrying about 800 crew members, the fleet will patrol the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters for about three months. If necessary, replacement warships may be added to the fleet to carry out the patrols.

Yao Junbiao, Who is directing team of Chinese Naval Fleet in Gulf of Aden, said, "We are the group conducting non-stop escorting of ships in the area. Our only aim is to ensure the merchant ships are not delayed. As soon as the ships arrive in the Gulf of Aden or the Mandeb Straits, we begin protecting them."

Editor:Liu Anqi