By Li Yun and Tang Siyu
GUANGZHOU, Jan.11 -- The 43rd Chinese naval escort taskforce set sail for the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia from a military port in Zhanjiang city, southeast China's Guangdong province, on the morning of January 10, for the rotation with the 42nd taskforce.
The 43rd Chinese naval escort taskforce consists of guided-missile destroyer Nanning, guided-missile frigate Sanya and comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu, as well as two ship-borne helicopters and more than 700 troops. It is the first time for ship Nanning to perform escort mission.
During the preparation period, the taskforce had formulated detailed emergency plans and organized targeted training on actual use of weapons, anti-terrorism and anti-piracy operations, replenishment-at-sea, etc.
As of now, the Chinese PLA Navy has sent 131 warships and more than 32,000 troops in 42 batches to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somali to carry out escort missions.
