Two destroyers and one supply ship from the Chinese South China Sea Fleet set sail from a port in the southernmost city of Sanya on Friday to patrol in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia.
China is acting in concert with other nations in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations Security Council to use military force to combat piracy. The UN Security Council approved resolution 1816 in June, following increased report of hijackings off the Somali coast. The resolution is valid for six months.
The ships' task is to protect the safety of Chinese ships and crew as well as ships carrying humanitarian relief for the international organizations of the United Nations.
The UN Security Council later adopted three more resolutions calling on the international community to take an active part in the fight against piracy off the Somali coast.
Resolution 1851, authorized for one year international military operations on Somali territory. Unlike previous resolutions, it empowered states combating piracy to conduct operations on land in Somalia.
A Russian navy commander announced on Sept. 23 that Russia resolved to send warships to the waters off Somalia to fight piracy along the African coast.
A Russian destroyer sailed to the area by way of Suez Canal. The Russian commander announced on Nov. 20 that Russia would send more naval ships for regular patrol, preventing pirates raiding commercial vessels.
The American navy sent several warships to the area on Sept. 29. The U.S. vessels and ships from Russia and other countries, surrounded a Ukrainian ammunition vessel that robbed by pirates.
Indian Defense Ministry announced on Oct. 17 that a large warship, equipped with helicopter and storm troops on board, would be sent to patrol the seas off Somalia.
NATO sent three warships from England, Italy and Greece to the area on Oct. 24 to protect food-carrying vessels of the World Food Program. This action concluded on Dec. 12.
The EU started a military action on Dec. 8, which sent six warships and three scouts to the waters off Somalia. The action was to safeguard the foodstuff vessels of the World Food Program as well as other commercial ships and prevent and fight piracy and other armed robbery.
The Iranian State Radio reported on Dec. 20 that Iran had sent a warship to patrol the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian ships passing through the area.
The South Korean government also announced they would send warships to the waters off Somalia, joining the international military action overseas. If the plan was approved by the South Korean Parliament, South Korea would deploy the warships at the beginning of 2009.
Japan was also seeking approval to allow its warships to enter the area.
Source: Xinhua
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