Chinese warships on a mission to protect their country's vessels and crews from pirate attacks off Somalia will depart Friday, armed with special forces, helicopters and plans to share information with other countries working in the area, military officials said, AP reported. The operation, China's first major naval mission abroad, will include destroyers Haikou and Wuhan as well as a large supply ship, said Rear Adm. Xiao Xinnian, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy. On board will be two helicopters and traditional weapons such as missiles and cannons. «In light of the peculiarity of this operation, we have also dispatched some special forces ... these special forces will also carry some light weapons that correspond with the specific features and needs of this operation,» Xiao said at a news conference Tuesday, without giving additional details. Though the purpose of the mission was to protect Chinese ships and crews, Beijing has called for stepped up cooperation in anti-piracy efforts. China announced it was sending warships to the area after the U.N. Security Council authorized nations to conduct land and air attacks on pirate bases. «During the escort operation, Chinese ships are ready and willing to strengthen information and intelligence sharing as well as (conduct) humanitarian rescue operations with vessels of relevant countries according to the situation on the ground,» said Senior Col. Huang Xueping, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense.
