Chinese navy escorts Indian oil tanker_ captain thanked
The Chinese navy on Saturday successfully escorted an Indian oil tanker carrying 31 Indian crew members to a designated sea area in the Gulf of Aden and received a thank-you note from the tanker's captain. The escort came amid the recently strained diplomatic ties between China and India on the border dispute. The 35th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy successfully escorted three foreign merchant ships_ including Indian Crude Oil Tanker "MT Desh Gaurav_" Panamanian Chemical Tanker "Rabigh Sunshine" and Marshall Islands Bulk Carrier "Pan Clover. The Desh Gaurav left Ras Gharib port in Egypt_ sailed eastward through the Gulf of Aden and returned to Vadinar in India. The ship had a safety capsule but no security personnel on board_ forcing them to apply for an escort from the Chinese navy. The Gulf of Aden is known as the most dangerous waters in the world for pirate attacks. Yang Aibin_ chief of staff of the escort taskforce_ said that the Chinese navy sent guided-missile destroyer Taiyuan to escort foreign ships along the way_ and the other two Chinese vessels Jingzhou and Chaohu were waiting in a certain sea area to provide regional escort for passing ships. Indian oil tanker captain Says_ this is the second time I have sailed through the Gulf of Aden. A few days ago_ when I was sailing westwards_ I applied for a Chinese naval escort for the first time_ accompanied by the frigate named Jingzhou_ the Indian captain told the naval escort translator Cai Lingong. The captain said that although he has never been to China_ the Chinese naval escort taskforce has been providing "safe and efficient" escort operations year after year_ which are admirable and trustworthy. -Source: Global Times
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