CRI听力：China to Send Warships to Somalia for Escort Mission

Chinese Navy's three-ship fleet awaiting sail to waters off Somalia has finished its preparations for the overseas deployment.

The fleet commander, Rear-Admiral Du Jingcheng says all crew members of the fleet had full confidence in their ability to fulfill the escorting mission.

According to the official, the primary mission of Chinese fleet is to secure vessels, personnel and cargo, but not to directly fight piracy off the Somalia coast.

"Our target is, on one hand, to protect the ships and personnel passing through the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia. On the other hand, we are in charge of safeguarding the vessels transporting humanitarian materials from international organizations. However, we will take relevant measures under the direct threat from pirates."

Du Jingcheng added the fleet will carry about 800 crew members, including 70 soldiers form the Navy's special forces, and is equipped with ship-borne missiles, cannons and light weapons. (www.hxen.net)

The Haikou together with another destroyer, the Guided Missile Destroyer 169 Wuhan, and supply ship Weishanhu from the South Sea Fleet will set sail from China's southmost port city of Sanya on Hainan island Friday, who will join in the multi-national patrolling in the regions.

China's Foreign Ministry officially announced the deployment by saying that China will observe UN resolutions and international laws in fulfilling its obligations.

Official data show that nearly 1,300 Chinese commercial vessels had passed through the gulf so far this year and seven of them were attacked. One fishing ship and 18 crew members are still being held by pirates.