A PLA Navy frigate is heading towards the Libyan coast on an unprecedented mission to protect Chinese citizens in a conflict zone.
The missile frigate Xuzhou is under orders to 'support and protect' the more than 30,000 Chinese nationals being evacuated from Libya on civilian ships as the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi teeters on the brink of collapse.
The Ministry of National Defence reported the move on its website yesterday, saying the order was issued on Thursday, which means the vessel could be off the Libyan coast early next week after being pulled off anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean.
It is just the second time People's Liberation Army Navy ships have been deployed to the Mediterranean - and the first time the PLA has intervened in a humanitarian crisis.
The situation in Libya grew even more tense yesterday as security forces and militias loyal to Gaddafi opened fire on marchers who defied a fierce clampdown to hold their first major protest in the capital in days.
Across rebellious cities in the east of the country, tens of thousands held rallies in support of the Tripoli protesters. Protesters chanting for Gaddafi to be ousted streamed out of mosques in Tripoli after prayers and were confronted by a force of troops and militiamen who opened fire in streets near Green Square, said a number of witnesses who reported several deaths.