A two-day international workshop on ocean escorts was inaugurated Thursday in Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu province, with the attendance of 84 delegates representing four international organizations and 20 nations.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) hosted the international event with the approval of China's Central Military Commission, according to sources with the PLA Navy.

At the workshop, participants are expected to share their views on, and experiences in, various topics, including exchanging information on pirate activities, implementing armed rescues and organizing military actions, as well as relevant laws and regulations. They will also discuss and find ways to deepen cooperation among international bodies and the navies of different countries.

The PLA Navy has carried out ocean missions for over three years. So far, 10 navy flotillas with almost 10,000 sailors on board have been sent to sea to curb Somali pirate activity. Nearly 4,500 civil vessels from different nationalities have been escorted by the PLA Navy fleets.

"It is in the common interests, as well as the common responsibility and duty, for us all to ensure the safety of ocean shipping," said Ding Yiping, deputy commander of the PLA Navy.

The workshop is aimed at providing a special platform for navies of different nations to share their experiences, learn from each other and deepen cooperation, so as to improve professional capabilities as a whole, Ding said.

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