Chinese naval vessels have so far carried out six escort missions for 16 ships in the pirate-ridden waters off Somalian coast as up to 8 a.m. January 20, a Chinese military spokesman said Tuesday.

Cai Huailie, deputy director-general of the Strategic Planning Bureau of the Operations Department of the People's Liberation Army(PLA) General Staff Headquarters, made the remark at a press conference upon the release of a white paper on China's National Defense in 2008.

The Chinese vessels are conducting the mission according to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and with the approval of the Somali transitional government, Cai said.

China sent two Chinese destroyers and a supply ship to the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on December 26, 2008, offering protection for Chinese civilian vessels and crews, including those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and foreign vessels on request as well. The Chinese naval vessels arrived in the Gulf of Aden on January 6.