Beijing (SD) – Chinese government  has this week dispatch the 40th fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy to carry out an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

According to Chinese news agency,  Xinhua, the fleet sailed from a military port in the city of Zhanjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province. 

The fleet is composed of the guided-missile destroyer Hohhot, the missile frigate Yueyang, and the supply ship Luomahu, with dozens of special-operation soldiers and two helicopters on board.

In preparation for the mission, the fleet conducted training on the use of weapons, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, as well as replenishment at sea.

The PLA Navy began conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in December 2008.