BEIJING -- China will send a new navy fleet for escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in mid-October, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on Friday.

The 48th escort task group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will be composed of the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, the guided-missile frigate Daqing and the comprehensive supply ship Taihu, spokesperson Jiang Bin told a press conference.

He said the escort task groups take concrete actions to build a maritime community with a shared future, and safeguard international sea lanes and regional peace and stability.

The PLA Navy began conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in December 2008.