China
Chinese warships ready to sail for Somalia
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The United States, NATO and other military forces have sent naval forces to the area.
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Crew members of a navy helicopter prepare for the departure |
Huang Xueping from Defense Ministry Info. office, said, "This mission fully demonstrates that China is a responsible member of the UN security Council and performs its due international obligations. This mission will be conducted in the open-sea. Normally, peacekeeping mission will be conducted in the soil of a certain country and the peacekeeping force has to be maintain neutral."
Huang says the main task of the mission is to protect the safety of Chinese ships and crews, as well as ships carrying humanitarian relief material for international organizations.
Ships registered in China or owned by Chinese companies have been attacked by pirates off the Somali coast seven times this year.
Both the UN and other military forces welcome China's move. The country's Navy says it has confidence and capability for the patrol mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the move shows China is taking concrete actions to ensure world peace and stability.
