A Chinese naval fleet arrived Tuesday in the waters of the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to carry out the first escort mission against pirates.
![A helicopter of the Chinese naval fleet attends a landing exercise at night on Dec. 28, 2008, while the Chinese naval fleet heads for the Gulf of Aden. The Chinese naval fleet including two destroyers and a supply ship set off on Dec. 26 for waters off Somalia for an escort mission against piracy.](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20090107/001ec94a1d8b0ace80f831.jpg) |
A helicopter of the Chinese naval fleet attends a landing exercise at night on December 28, 2008, while the Chinese naval fleet heads for the Gulf of Aden. The Chinese naval fleet including two destroyers and a supply ship set off on December 26 for waters off Somalia for an escort mission against piracy.[Xinhua]
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Four Chinese merchant ships, including one from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, were escorted by the fleet.
Rear-Admiral Du Jingchen, commander of the force, said the escort mission has started and "we would strictly observe UN resolutions and relevant international laws to fulfill our obligations."