The 28th Chinese naval escort taskforce arrived at the east waters of the Gulf of Aden on Dec 23, local time, to replace the 27th Chinese naval escort taskforce.
A mission handover ceremony was held by the two escort taskforces on Dec 26 after two days of joint performance of escort tasks.
Since arriving at the Gulf of Aden on August 23, in the past four months, the 27th escort taskforce has successfully provided escort for 53 Chinese and international vessels in 35 batches, and warned away 42 suspected pirate vessels.
The 28th Chinese naval escort taskforce, dispatched by the PLA Navy’s North China Sea Fleet, comprises the guided-missile frigates Yancheng and Weifang as well as the comprehensive supply ship Taihu. The three ships set sail from Qingdao on Dec 3 and held drills during the voyage to make full preparation for its escort mission.
