Crew members on the merchant vessel "Lianhuahai" welcome the Chinese navy which will escort it to pass through the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates Feb. 1. 　　

 　　Photo taken from the deck of Chinese destroyer Wuhan shows two merchant vessels "Lemin" and "Lianhuahai" sailing by the escort of Chinese navy to pass through the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates Feb. 1.

 　　Crew members on the merchant vessel "Lemin" hold Chinese national flag and a banner to welcome the Chinese navy fleet which will escort it to pass through the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates Feb. 1. 　　

 　　Chinese navy soldiers on Chinese destroyer Wuhan wave to a merchant vessel as they escort it to pass through the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates Feb. 1.
　　Crew members on the merchant vessel "Lianhuahai" welcome the Chinese navy which will escort it to pass through the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates Feb. 1.