This Day, That Year

Editor's note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

On Dec 26, 2008, a Chinese naval fleet set sail on an anti-piracy mission off Somalia as seen in the item from China Daily.

It marked the first deployment of the People's Liberation Army Navy to the waters off the war-torn country.

In the past decade, China's naval forces have expanded their engagement in the region, adding the protection of Chinese nationals and interests overseas to counterpiracy and escort activities.

According to official statistics, about 109 ships and 29,000 soldiers and sailors have been dispatched since the start of the anti-piracy mission.

During this period, thousands of ships have been escorted and dozens of Chinese and foreign vessels have been assisted or rescued by PLA Navy warships.

On Monday, the 34th convoy fleet of PLA Navy left the port in Sanya, Hainan province, for an escort mission in Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.

The task force consists of guided-missile destroyer CNS Yinchuan, Type 054A guided missile frigate Yuncheng and auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu. It also has two helicopters, and is supported by about 700 officers and soldiers.

In 2002, the PLA Navy conducted its first global goodwill voyage, sailing for 132 days and visiting 10 countries.

Since then, the Navy has conducted several global goodwill trips to promote friendship and exchanges with the rest of the world.

Since it entered service in 2008, Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark has fulfilled nine missions coded as Mission Harmony and visited 43 countries and regions, and provided medical services for more than 230,000 people, covering a distance of over 444,400 kilometers.