Chinese frigate in the Mediterranean

For the first time China has sent heavily armed warship in the Mediterranean. Xuzhou frigate with a displacement of 4000 tonnes was diverted from participating in international forces to combat Somali pirates and sent to accompany the four merchant ships leased by China to evacuate Chinese citizens from Libya. The operation is closely monitored by the governments of NATO countries who are concerned about the growing power of the Chinese Navy, which will soon be second in power after the U.S..