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Chinese destroyer escorts Dutch ship in Somali

By Wang Hui and Cui Xiaohuo (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-03-07 21:19

GULF OF ADEN -- Haikou, one of the two destroyers of the Chinese naval fleet joining international anti-piracy campaign, began guiding a Netherlands-flagged vessel, along with three other vessels on Mar 7 in the Somali waters.

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The Dutch ship, Philippine Express, with all crew being Chinese nationals, became the first foreign vessel under Chinese Navy's protection after an approval from the Headquarters of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Hu Weihua, commander of the destroyer Haikou, said the Chinese naval convoy has escorted 102 vessels in total, from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, since its arrival in the mission area in the Gulf of Aden on January 6.