The Chinese Navy fleet of three ships sent to assist national ships sailing off the coast of Somalia has undertaken its first escort duty.

Headed by the multi-purpose missile destroyer WUHAN (Type 052B), four Chinese merchant ships were escorted by the navy ships through an area under threat of pirate action.

China says that it has sent the ships to assist any vessel from either China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. This follows the highjacking of several Chinese ships in recent months and marks one of the few naval service deployments outside of Chinese coastal waters.

Rear-Admiral Du Jingchen, the commanding officer of the naval force consisting of two destroyers and a supply ship, said the Chinese Navy would strictly observe UN resolutions and relevant international laws to fulfil its obligations.

Included among the crew of 800 sailors are 70 soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army Navy Special Force.