The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will continue escort missions, a long-term task, Yang Yujun, spokesperson of the Ministry¹ of National Defense² (MOD) said at a press briefing Thursday.

 

国防部发言人杨宇军周四在一场新闻发布会上表示，中国人民解放军海军将继续执行护航任务——这是一项长期任务。

 

China will continue to play its role in maintaining regional stability and safeguarding vital marine³ routes, Yang said when responding to reporters' questions on the resurgence⁴ of piracy⁵ in the Gulf⁶ of Aden and waters off Somalia this year.

 

On April 15, Frigate⁷ Hengyang of China's 25th convoy⁸ fleet rescued a Panamanian ship from suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

 

The Chinese navy also freed a Tuvalu-registered vessel⁹ that had been hijacked¹⁰ by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on April 9.

 

Since December 2008, Chinese fleets have escorted more than 6,000 ships through the area and have rescued or assisted more than 60 ships.

 

Also at the press briefing, Yang Yujun pointed¹¹ out the progress and improvements China's second aircraft carrier has made. 

 

The aircraft carrier was launched Wednesday.

 

"Its design and construction drew on the experience of the Liaoning, and have improved on many aspects," said Yang, referring to the country's first aircraft carrier, which was rebuilt from the Soviet¹² Union ship Varyag and completed in 2011.

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