China prepping to send warships after pirates

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Two Chinese destroyers and a supply ship will set sail for the Gulf of Aden on Friday to protect Chinese merchant ships from an increasing number of pirate attacks in the waters off the coast of Somalia, navy officials said Tuesday.China has reportedly been working to rapidly modernize its fleet.

Two helicopters and special operations forces will also head to the region, the Chinese officials said.Chinese media reported the plans last week. It will mark the first time that the country's naval vessels have left Chinese waters in centuries.

The Chinese ships will join a multinational naval force already patrolling the area, including vessels from the United States, NATO member states, Russia and India.

"This demonstrates that the Chinese government is committed to the international community and a responsible player and a major country in the world," Rear Admiral Xiao Xinnian told reporters. Xiao also said the action "demonstrates the capability of the Chinese navy to deal with multiple security threats."