China sends new naval fleet for escort mission (1/3)

Frigate Weifang leaves from a port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 29, 2019. The 33rd fleet from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday left the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province for the Gulf of Aden to escort civilian ships. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Soldiers stand on destroyer Xining at a port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 29, 2019. The 33rd fleet from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday left the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province for the Gulf of Aden to escort civilian ships. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Soldiers wave goodbye to family and friends on destroyer Xining at a port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 29, 2019. The 33rd fleet from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday left the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province for the Gulf of Aden to escort civilian ships. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)