Somali FM welcomes possible naval escort operations by China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-17 10:07

UNITED NATIONS - Somalia's Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Jama on Tuesday welcomed that China is seriously considering sending naval ships to Somali waters for escort operations to fight against piracy there.

Jama met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council on Somali piracy, during which a resolution was adopted to further step up the international fight against on the piracy.

The Chinese vice minister told Jama that China firmly supports the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia in its peace and reconstruction efforts, and that China will continue to do within its ability to provide assistance to it.

He emphasized that piracy off the coast of Somalia has become an international menace and that China is also one of its victims.

At present, one Chinese vessel and 17 Chinese nationals are still in the captivity of Somali pirates, He said. "This has aroused the utmost concern of the Chinese government and the general public."

China hopes that the TFG of Somalia will continue to cooperate with the Chinese side and do its best to retrieve the hijacked vessel and ensure the safety of Chinese crewmembers, He said.

China attaches great importance to the TFG's request for the international community's help to fight piracy, and supports the Security Council to adopt relevant resolutions upon request, He said.

China is seriously considering sending naval ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast for escorting operations in the near future, He added.

Jama thanked China for its support for the Somali peace process and welcomed that China is seriously considering sending naval ships to the waters off the Somali coast for escorting operations.

Jama said that the TFG of Somalia will continue to cooperate with the Chinese side, and do its utmost to retrieve the Chinese vessel and rescue Chinese crewmembers taken hostage by pirates.