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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 18 Dec 2008 Title: China considers sending warships to Somali coast -------------------- Beijing - China is considering sending warships to fight pirates off the coast of Somalia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. "The Chinese side is actively considering sending naval ships to the Gulf of Aden and the Somalia seas to safeguard sea lanes," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. Mr Liu's remarks come a day after a Chinese commercial vessel was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. 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 12:43pm on Wednesday Beijing time. Nine pirates armed with rocket launchers and heavy machine guns boarded the ship where 30 crew members locked themselves in their accommodation area, using fire hydrants and firebombs to prevent the attackers from entering. Mr Liu said China turned to the International Maritime Bureau based in Kuala Lumpur for help, which sent helicopters and warships to rescue the Chinese vessel. No injuries or deaths were reported from the ship. "We deeply appreciate the effective help offered by Malaysia and the related international organisations," Mr Liu said. Attacks by Somali pirates have escalated sharply in recent months, causing international concern. The European Union, North Atlantic Trade Organisation (NATO) and Russia have also said they are ready to send warships to the Somali coastline to combat piracy. This week Kenya placed its territorial waters under 24-hour military surveillance to ensure there is no spillover of pirate activities. A joint Kenyan Navy and Air Force response patrol unit was activated along the country's 600km coastline to fight against the piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Earlier this month Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete described the incidents as a threat to global peace. He urged the international community to come in swiftly to save the country from further disintegration. Negotiations to secure the release of the MV Faina are reportedly at an advanced stage. The MV Faina, a Ukrainian ship carrying 33 battle tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition meant for the Kenyan army, was seized by Somali pirates in September. Early this month, the pirates indicated that they had reached a deal with the ship's owners to let it go. They had initially demanded a ransom of $20 million. - BuaNews-Xinhua-NNN |
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