A convoy of Chinese warships has completed its 38th mission to protect commercial vessels. Four of the 13 ships escorted on the latest mission were not from China.

The foreign ships asked to join the convoy for safety reasons. The escort was carried out as several pirate attacks were launched around the Gulf of Aden. The pirates are expanding their territory and becoming even more violent.

The Chinese task force expanded helicopter patrols and used more warships on the convoy to ensure the vessels safety.

(CCTV April 10, 2009)