One of the biggest transformations of the People's Liberation Army Navy is the shift from coastal defense to responsibilities on the open seas. Escort missions off the coast of Somalia have come to symbolize its blue-water status, as China plays a bigger role in the International anti-piracy campaign. Today in our special series "Red Star, Blue Water", CGTN correspondent Han Bin goes on board one of the warships, a 054A type frigate like the one we just saw, to see the results.

The Gulf of Aden, a vital route for trade. Chinese escort fleets join the fight against piracy. Far away from home base, this is how they prepare. A decade of commitment is a call for open sea operations. Captain Zhang Guangyao shows me around the bridge, where the navigation and observation are conducted. He says repeated drills onshore are to sharpen skills for discovering and dealing with dangers at sea.

ZHANG GUANGYAO, CAPTAIN PLAN LINYI, QINGDAO "We use navigation radar to find out whether passing ships pose a threat. We need to use all means at sea, not just radar, to discover suspicious ships. During escort missions, we need to promptly communicate with foreign navies and merchant ships to avoid collisions. This is where we carry out nautical operations. This officer is training in ship positioning. Here's the Strait of Malacca. It's the busiest shipping route in the world. It should be the most complicated water area. We must abide by the international rules for avoiding collisions at sea when we pass."

Wang Lei was on China's 19th escort mission back in 2014. It lasted over 200 days at sea.

SEAMAN WANG LEI PLAN LINYI, QINGDAO "The big challenge is life is pretty dull for us young people. Because when we're sailing for 6 or 7 months, every day all you see is blue sky and sea, plus the environment of being on duty and living."

Training is combat-oriented. The escort mission is a testing ground for the transformation. Previously the Navy never sailed that far, but now it's routine. China continues to send advanced warships for the peace mission, with a growing presence in the international waters.

The 054A type frigate is the main combat warship. Airworthiness for naval aviation is very good, and the wind resistance can reach level 12. The range is more than 4,000 nautical miles. This is our 76mm gun. It has very high firing speed and very good accuracy. This is our 3200 depth-charge rocket, for close-range anti-submarine warfare.

A common scenario for the mission since 2008. China has escorted some 7,000 ships and rescued 70 in danger.

When civil war broke out in Yemen, the Linyi was one of the three vessels helping the evacuation.

I think for all of us on the escort mission, the most memorable experience was the evacuation of civilians in Yemen. We are so proud that only the warships of the PLA Navy entered the port of Aden. Though I used to imagine if I were going to war, what I should do, when I actually encountered it, the real feeling was quite different.

ZHANG GUANGYAO, CAPTAIN PLAN LINYI, QINGDAO "Our appearance on location is the symbol of responsibilities of the Chinese Navy. Not afraid of gunfire, not afraid of danger."

The Linyi has welcomed relations with other navies. These plaques record its frigate diplomacy. And the Chief of US Naval Operations has come on board.

"We can learn from foreign navies to improve our practice. After all, they have developed much earlier than us."

"Through the routine escort operations, our navy has gradually enhanced the capabilities of offshore protection and combat, far away from base."

HAN BIN QINGDAO NAVY PORT "The PLA Navy used to keep its vessels close to the coastal areas, so escort missions are a major change in strategy. This international peace mission has also reinforced naval capability in open waters."

"A soldier isn't respected for his title, it's the responsibility on his shoulders."

"Our navy is a very important force in maintaining peace in the world."

Han Bin, CGTN.