news report

NEWS
China will send warships to fight rampant piracy off Somalia after one of its commercial vessels foiled a major attack near the African state. China will send two destroyers and one large supply ship to engage in the upholding of security in international waters off the coast of Somalia.

The fleet will depart from China's south sea naval base on Hainan island after December 25 for a three-month tour of the Somali coast. It will be the first time in modern history that the China's navy has carried out a mission outside Chinese waters.

Pirates have carried out more than 100 attacks in the key shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden. Last month, the pirates captured the world's attention when they hijacked the Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of crude oil, and demanded a 25-million-dollar ransom for the boat and its crew. It is one of about 17 ships, including a Chinese vessel, that have fallen into pirate hands.

OPINION
In my opinion, I think it is wonderful that china is taking action and participating. With China’s warship, the pirates may not want to attract too much attention and there would be lesser attacks. If the pirates still attack, the china’s warship will act as an extra ‘security measure’, as there would be more warships on the alert and it would be easier to fight against the pirates.