QINGDAO, Oct. 23 -- The 48th escort taskforce of the Chinese PLA Navy, comprising the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (Hull 122), the guided-missile frigate Daqing (Hull 576), and the comprehensive supply ship Taihu (Hull 889), returned to a military port in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, on October 23, 2026, after successfully completing its escort mission in the Gulf of Aden.

During its 378-day mission, the taskforce sailed more than 150,000 nautical miles and safely escorted 423 Chinese and foreign vessels, taking concrete actions to safeguard international sea lanes and uphold regional peace and stability.

During the mission, the taskforce participated in the "Will for Peace 2026" joint maritime exercise in South Africa and the China-Pakistan "Sea Guardian IV" joint naval exercise in Pakistan. It also took part in a parade marking the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' independence, paid friendly visits to Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia, and made technical stops in Oman, Kenya, Singapore, and other countries.