Chinese naval fleet carries out first escort mission off Somalia

Updated: 2009-01-08 10:08

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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A Chinese naval fleet arrived Tuesday in the waters of the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to carry out the first escort mission against pirates.

Four Chinese merchant ships, including one from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, were escorted by the fleet.

The fleet includes about 800 crew members, including 70 soldiers from the Navy's special force, and is equipped with missiles, cannons and light weapons.

The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions in 2008 calling on all countries and regions to help patrol the gulf and waters off Somalia, where increasing piracy has endangered international shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.