12th Chinese naval escort flotilla sets sail in E China

Published on July 5 2012 by John

2012-07-03 23:47:52 GMT2012-07-04 07:47:52(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

Frigate "Changzhou" sets sail at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

The 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla prepare to set sail at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy soldiers bid farewell to the 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy soldiers stand guard as the 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla sets sail at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

Frigate "Yiyang" sets sail at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

Special force soldiers of the 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla bid farewell at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

The 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla prepare to set sail at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Hu Sheyou)

The 12th Chinese naval escort flotilla, consisting of frigate "Yiyang", frigate "Changzhou" and comprehensive supply ship "Qiandaohu", departed from Zhoushan on Tuesday for the escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to protect commercial ships from pirate attacks.