Chinese and Russian navies have completed their first joint mission to protect commercial shipping from pirates off the Somali coast.

The escort team consisted of China's "Zhoushan" destroyer and a Russian anti-submarine vessel. Their mission in the south of the Mandab Strait began last Thursday. The ships provided nautical and aerial protection and shared information about pirate activities.

China's "Zhoushan" destroyer also held a night-time practice fight against pirates. The two vessels escorted a total of 18 ships from different countries.