QINGDAO -- A new fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy set sail from a military port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, on Saturday to take over an escort mission from the previous fleet in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.

This 48th navy fleet comprises a missile destroyer, a missile frigate and a supply vessel -- with two helicopters and dozens of special forces members on board.

In preparation for the mission, the fleet conducted training focused primarily on the use of weapons, the tasks involved in providing a convoy escort, and measures necessary for replenishment during the mission.

China in December 2008 began dispatching naval ships to carry out vessel protection operations in both the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.