ABOARD DESTROYER WUHAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland navel fleet on Monday began to carry out an escort mission for four merchant ships including one from Taiwan in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.

    The mission is also escorting two other ships from Shanghai and one from the Philippines to protect them against pirate attacks.

A Chinese navy helicopter keeps alert over a cargo ship in the waters of the Gulf of Aden on Jan. 12, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    At 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT), the four ships set out in a line for a voyage of 553 sea miles (1019 km), accompanied by the destroyer Wuhan. Two groups of naval special forces were aboard the first and the last ships.

    Another Chinese destroyer Haikou will join the mission later in waters, where the pirates are more likely to appear.

    Rear-Admiral Du Jingchen, commander of the naval fleet, said safeguarding transport in the Gulf of Aden and maintaining security of ships was the common wish of all pacifists including compatriots across the Taiwan Straits.

    The Gulf of Aden is a key trade route linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

Chinese missile destroyer Wuhan (R) escorts a cargo ship in the waters of the Gulf of Aden on Jan. 12, 2009. The Chinese fleet started to carry out the second escort mission against pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhu Hongliang) Photo Gallery>>>

    The fleet, including the two destroyers and one supply ship, conducted its first escort mission from Jan. 6 to 8.

    The fleet has about 800 crew members, including 70 soldiers from the Navy's special force, and is equipped with missiles, cannons and light weapons.

    The London-based International Maritime Bureau said more than 100 vessels had been attacked in the Gulf in 2008 and more than 10ships are still being held for ransom.