Chinese navy escort fleet embarks on latest escort mission in Gulf of Aden, Somali waters

The 49th escort fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Wednesday morning departed from a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, bound for the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia to carry out escort missions in the region.

The fleet, mainly composed of naval forces from the Southern Theater Command, consists of the guided-missile destroyer Kunming, the guided-missile frigate Yueyang and the comprehensive supply ship Luomahu, with dozens of special operations personnel and two helicopters on board, totaling over 700 personnel on the mission.

At around 10:30, the fleet's ships sailed away from the dock.

The deployment marks the Kunming's first escort mission, while the Yueyang and the Luomahu have both carried out multiple escort missions in the past.

During the mission preparation phase, the fleet carefully assessed the potential risks, challenges and actual threats it might face during the escort operations.

It focused on targeted drills including live-weapon firing, accompanied escort, underway replenishment, and counter-terrorism and anti-piracy exercises in accordance with the requirements of full-element and combat-oriented training.

These drills effectively tested the feasibility of operational plans and the level of force coordination, while honing and enhancing the fleet's capability to carry out its missions.

"We have the confidence and the capability to accomplish this escort mission. Through concrete actions, we will practice the Global Security Initiative and the vision of a maritime community with a shared future, and demonstrate the fine image of PLA Navy in the new era," said Xue Quankui, a crew member of PLA Navy's 172nd task force command post.

The fleet will take over duties from the 48th escort fleet, which set sail in October last year.

In line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, China has maintained a regular naval escort presence in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008 to safeguard the security of international shipping routes, escort Chinese and foreign vessels, and rescue, protect or assist ships in distress.

Chinese navy escort fleet embarks on latest escort mission in Gulf of Aden, Somali waters

A spectacular blanket of morning mist has enveloped the waters and forests around a bridge over the Ili River in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as the diurnal temperature gap widens over the past few days.

Piercing through the gauzy fog, the first rays of dawn cascade into warm, golden beams, spilling over the broad river surface and the sprawling secondary forests along the banks. The scene unfolds like a luminous, gently breathing oil painting - soft, fluid, and alive with color.

Along the riverside, vast groves of golden poplars stand in graceful disarray, while secondary forests, a layered mosaic of deep emerald and tender green, stretch continuously.

Morning mist paints picturesque scene over Ili River in Xinjiang