Since December 2008, China has been dispatching naval ships to carry out vessel protection operations in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. Over the past 16 years, 45 consecutive fleets, 150 vessels and 35,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy personnel have escorted more than 7,200 Chinese and foreign vessels. The PLA Navy has played an active role in fulfilling international responsibilities and obligations, ensuring the safety of international waterways, and maintaining the security of surrounding seas.