China's anti-pirate fleet to arrive today

By Tom Qian  |   2009-1-6  |     ONLINE EDITION

CHINA'S naval fleet that is en route to the Gulf of Aden to fight pirates off the coast of Somalia is expected to reach its destination today.

The Ministry of Transportation is set to start accepting applications from Chinese vessels seeking the naval convoy's protection, the China News Service reported today.

The convoy represents the first time that China has deployed warships so far from its coastline to protect the nation's strategic interests.

The fleet will escort Chinese vessels that seek protection when passing through the area, and will guard foreign ships if requested.

It will also help ships carrying humanitarian relief for international organizations such as the UN World Food Program. It will not charge escort or protection fees to either Chinese or foreign ships.

The fleet, two destroyers and a supply ship, has traveled for 11 days through the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca and the Indian Ocean after setting off from China's southern island province of Hainan.

Applications for protection are being managed through the China Shipowner's Association.