China to send navy to fight Somali pirates

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-19-2008 13:31

China is preparing to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia in a new bid to fight rampant piracy. Thursday's announcement came a day after a Chinese ship escaped a hijacking attempt in Somali waters.

Thursday's announcement came a day after a Chinese ship  escaped a hijacking attempt in Somali waters.

Meanwhile, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia has welcomed China's decision. Somalia's Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Jama says Somalia will continue to cooperate with China, and do its utmost to rescue Chinese crew members taken hostage by pirates.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao says China welcomes stronger international cooperation in countering piracy. He noted that the issue has become a major problem in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest waterways.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, "The Chinese government welcomes the international community developing effective cooperation to tackle the Somalia piracy issue. It also supports the efforts of relevant countries sending warships to crack down on pirate activities in Somalia according to international laws and relevant resolutions of the UN. China is actively considering sending warships to participate in convoy actions in the Somali sea and Gulf of Aden. China is now actively preparing for this and making the relevant arrangements."