Speaking of a possible PLAN overseas naval base in Djibouti

Chinese missile frigate makes port call at Djibouti

(Source: Xinhua) 2010-01-26
　　DJIBOUTI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese guided missile frigate has made a port call to Djibouti for re-supply after escort missions in the nearby Gulf of Eden and in the international waters off Somalia.

　　It was the first time for Chinese naval vessels to have made port calls to the Horn of Africa country.

　　The missile frigate, Ma'anshan, is one of the Chinese guided-missile vessels dispatched to escort cargo ships of China and other countries sailing through the area where Somali pirates have posed serious threats to international shipping by frequent hijacks.

　　China made an unprecedented move in late 2008 by sending warships to the Gulf and Eden in the country's first ever overseas escort mission for merchant vessels.

　　The Chinese fleet has so far escorted more than 1,300 merchant vessels from China and other countries.

Editor:Chen Jie

Resupplied Chinese frigate back on duty

(Source: Xinhua) 2010-01-29

　　GULF OF ADEN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese frigate is back on duty protecting ships in the Gulf of Aden and in international waters off Somalia after a three-day call at Djibouti for resupply.

　　The Ma'anshan ship, which left port on Jan. 26, also hosted a visit by senior Chinese officials while in Djibouti.

　　Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Jiarui, who was in Djibouti for a visit, visited officers aboard Ma'anshan.

　　Ma'anshan is one of the Chinese vessels dispatched to escort Chinese and other nations' cargo ships through the area, where Somali pirates have staged increasingly frequent hijack attempts.

Editor:Chen Jie