China is making preparations to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast to fight rampant pirates, after a Chinese ship escaped pirate hijack in the region.
"We are making preparations and arrangements to deploy naval ships to the Gulf of Aden for escorting operations," the foreign ministry said on its website Thursday.
"We will make a formal announcement when we are ready," the ministry said, without giving any further details.
However, military sources said that it will be the first time for Chinese navy to carry out escorting missions outside Chinese waters, and this mission is in line with related resolutions of the United Nations on combating pirates off the Somali coast.
The United States, NATO and other countries have already sent naval forces to ply this area.