BEIJING - THE Defence Ministry said three warships plan to depart on Friday on a mission to protect Chinese vessels and crews from pirate attacks in waters off Somalia, in what will be China's first major naval operation abroad.

The two destroyers and a supply ship will depart from the island province of Hainan in southern China, ministry spokesman Huang Xueping said at a news conference on Tuesday.

He said during the mission the Chinese navy was willing to work with other navies.

Piracy has taken an increasing toll on international shipping, especially in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. Pirates have made an estimated US$30 million (S$43.5 million) hijacking ships for ransom this year, seizing more than 40 vessels off Somalia's 3,000 kilometre coastline.

Last week, the Foreign Ministry said about 20 per cent of the 1,265 Chinese ships passing through the area had come under attack this year. Seven hijackings have involved Chinese ships or crews.

China's plans to send warships is a cautious step toward more engagement.

Though Beijing has a huge global commercial maritime presence, the People's Liberation Army Navy has primarily focused on defending China's coast and, until now, limited operations abroad to port calls, goodwill visits and exercises with other navies.

The Chinese fleet would join ships from the US, Denmark, Italy, Russia and other countries in patrolling the Gulf of Aden, which leads to the Suez Canal and is the quickest route from Asia to Europe and the Americas. -- AP