Three Chinese Navy vessels embarked Friday for the Gulf of Aden to help protect commercial shipping from attack by Somali pirates, according to Chinese media and wire service reports.
The Chinese warships - a supply ship and two destroyers – will join contingents from the United States, European Union, India and other countries that have been providing escorts and patrols in the dangerous waters between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
The venture marks a more internationalist stance by China, which has primarily used its navy to protect its shores.
Analysts said the move also signals that China is more willing to rely on itself rather than on other powers to protect its global economic interests.
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