By Zhang Qian and Wei Liangshuai
GULF of ADEN, July 3 (ChinaMil) -- Recently, the guided-missile frigate Xuzhou (Hull 530) of the 29th Chinese naval escort taskforce, which was on an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, sent medical staff to offer assistance to two ships escorted by them, the Chinese merchant ship "Zhenhua 25" and fishing vessel "Fuyuanyu 8666".
Special operations soldiers and medical staff of the frigate Xuzhou reached the Chinese merchant ship "Zhenhua 25" and fishing vessel "Fuyuanyu 8666" by helicopter and speed boat respectively, and provided medical check-up for the crews. They also carried supplies including emergency medicines, fruits and milk to the escorted ships.
Special operations soldiers checked the two ships and provided anti-piracy suggestions for the crews based on the real situations both ships were in.
In recent months, the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia have seen two consecutive attacks against merchant ships. In the face of such situation, the frigate Xuzhou and the supply ship Qiandaohu (Hull 886) of the 29th Chinese naval escort taskforce tried various means to ensure the safety of merchant ships escorted by them, such as forward escort and extended escort.
