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

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, on February 1, 2009. The Chinese naval fleet started carrying out the 15th batch of escort missions against pirates on February 1. [Xinhua]