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UN hails naval escorting operations by China in Gulf of Aden, Somali waters
2008-12-23 18:28

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the president of the UN Security Council, Neven Jurica ofCroatia, Monday both extended their welcome to China's decision to dispatch Chinese naval ships for escorting operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, saying the Chinese move is a strong support for the global efforts to fight pirates there, a Chinese envoy said here.

Ban and Jurica both voiced their appreciation of the Chinese decision in their separate telephone exchanges with Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, during which Zhang briefed the UN leaders on the decision of the Chinese government to send Chinese naval ships to undertake escorting operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters.

Ban said he appreciated the Chinese decision, saying that it means a strong support of China to the joint efforts by the international community to fight against pirates off the Somali coast, and this mirrors a very important role that China is playing in the international affairs.

For his part, Jurica, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member Security Council for December, described the Chinese decision as a timely move, saying that it is a great support for the work of the Security Council.

During the telephone talks, Zhang said that ships which pass the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters were often attacked or hijacked by pirates there in recent years, piracy has become a serious threat to the international shipping, trade and security.

This outgoing year saw several incidents of Chinese ships or Chinese-funded foreign vessels hijacked by pirates, and the security and safety of Chinese ships and Chinese personnel are severely threatened, Zhang said.

Under the relevant Security Council resolutions and according to relevant steps by countries concerned, the Chinese government decided to send naval fleet for escorting operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, with the main aim to protect Chinese ships and personnel navigating the waters, and the vessels shipping humanitarian relief goods by such international organizations as the World Food Progam, Zhang said.

China decides to send navy vessels to fight pirates off Somali coast

BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China has announced that its naval deployment to the seas off Somalia to fight pirates will be of three vessels.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao confirmed on Saturday evening that the taskforce would consist of three vessels, and would patrol the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia. Full story

Chinese ship rescued from attack by pirates in Gulf of Aden

A sailor is ready to defend from pirates' attacks on the deck of the Chinese ship "Zhenhua 4" in the Gulf of Aden, on Dec. 17, 2008. The Chinese ship escaped pirate hijack in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, after the crew fought for four hours with the help of a multi-coalition force. No injuries or deaths were reported. Nine pirates armed with rocket launchers and heavy machine guns boarded the ship. The 30 crew members locked themselves in their accommodation area, using fire hydrants and firebombs to prevent the attackers from entering, said an official with China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (CMSRC). (Xinhua Photo)

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NAIROBI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A regional maritime official confirmed on Wednesday that an international naval force rescued a Chinese ship from nine Somali pirates in the latest surge in piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) said the crew on the Chinese MV Zhen Hua-4 had locked themselves in their cabins and radioed for help. Full story

Chinese ship escapes pirate hijack in Gulf of Aden

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese ship escaped pirate hijack in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, after the crew fought for four hours with the help of a multi-coalition force. No injuries or deaths were reported.

The ship "Zhenhua 4" is owned by China Communications Construction Co. and is registered in Saint Vincent. The company lost contact with the sailors after the ship was attacked by pirates at 12:43 p.m. (Beijing time). Full story

China ship rescued after pirates' forced retreat in Gulf of Aden

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese ship was rescued after multi-national soldiers forced retreat of pirates in the Gulf of Aden at 16:45 (Beijing time) on Wednesday.

The multi-national forces used helicopters for the rescue operation. Full story

China ship attacked by pirates in Gulf of Aden, 30 sailors unconnected

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A ship owned by China Communications Construction Co. was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden at 12:43 p.m. (Beijing time) on Wednesday.

Thirty Chinese sailors were aboard the ship, "Zhenhua 4", that was registered in Saint Vincent. The company has lost contacts with the sailors and their conditions were unknown. Full story

Somalia welcomes Chinese naval deployment off its coast

MOGADISHU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Somalia on Wednesday welcomed China's announcement that it was seriously considering sending naval ships to Somali waters to fight rampant piracy.

"As a friend of the Somali people and victim of the piracy menace," China can play a vital role in combating the scourge off Somali waters, said Somalia's Parliament Speaker Sheik Aden Madoobe. Full story

Source: Xinhua


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