Chinese Set Sail to Join Fight Against Piracy

Chinese warships are leaving home waters today for the first time in centuries, heading to the Gulf of Aden on an anti-piracy mission, CNN reports. Two destroyers and a supply ship are setting out to protect Chinese vessels in response to soaring pirate attacks off Somalia. The warships will join a multinational naval group patrolling the Gulf. The mission will last as long as it’s needed, China says.

“This demonstrates that the Chinese government is committed to the international community and a responsible player and a major country in the world,” says a Chinese rear admiral.
(More China stories.)