This file photo taken on Oct. 26, 2024 shows soldiers of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy participating in an counter-terrorism and anti-piracy exercise. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises. Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Yu Zeming/Xinhua)
GUANGZHOU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
Comprising the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo, the missile frigate Xuchang, and the comprehensive replenishment vessel Honghu, the fleet has safeguarded the security of international maritime trade routes and regional peace and stability.
The fleet also participated in a multilateral joint maritime exercise in Nigeria, the celebration of the 328th founding anniversary of the Russian navy, and an international navy festival in South Africa. It also visited Egypt and made technical stops in South Africa, Morocco and the Seychelles.
China began dispatching naval ships to carry out vessel protection operations in December 2008 in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
This file photo taken on Aug. 13, 2024 shows soldiers of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy participating in a shipborne helicopter flight training. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Zhang Dayu/Xinhua)
Soldiers of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy wave to the welcoming crowd at a military port in Zhanjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 24, 2025. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Chen Yuanzeng/Xinhua)
This file photo taken on Oct. 26, 2024 shows soldiers of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy participating in a ship boarding training. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Liang Lei/Xinhua)
The guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy approaches a military port in Zhanjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 24, 2025. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Jiang Haitao/Xinhua)
This file photo taken on April 19, 2024 shows the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy during an counter-terrorism and anti-piracy exercise. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Liang Lei/Xinhua)
This file photo taken on March 18, 2024 shows soldiers of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy on guard aboard. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Liang Lei/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2025 shows the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy during an counter-terrorism and anti-piracy exercise. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Zhang Dayu/Xinhua)
This file photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo of the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy leaving after escorting a cargo ship. A Chinese navy fleet returned to a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, on Friday after completing escort missions and joint exercises.
Setting off on Feb. 21, 2024 from Zhanjiang, the 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy traveled over 160,000 nautical miles during its 339-day voyage, escorting ships during missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Zhang Dayu/Xinhua)