China's fifth naval escort taskforce in Gulf of Aden starts

China's fifth Gulf of Aden mission took over the escort of merchant vessels through the pirate-infested waters in a handover ceremony from the fourth mission late Wednesday local time.

The ceremony was held on the missile frigate FFG-525 Ma'anshan after the two escort flotillas finished escorting 26 Chinese and foreign ships.

During the handover, documents and equipment were transferred and the new command was briefed on the features of piracy and merchant vessel escort patterns.

Qiu Yanpeng, commander of China's fourth escort flotilla, said his fleet had successfully concluded all its tasks since it started operations last Nov. 27, while his successor, Zhang Wendan, said his crews would work to maintain the high standard.

The fourth mission will leave the Gulf of Aden soon.

Source: Xinhua