China’s naval escort fleet could provide necessary protection and aid to vessels of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) if need be, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Tuesday at a regular press conference.

Qin’s remarks came after a Hong Kong-flagged ship was reportedly attacked by the Somali pirates on Monday.

According to the report by the China News Service, the vessel managed to escape after the attack.

Qin said China sent the escort fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali
waters with the aim of ensuring the security of its vessels sailing
across this sea area.

As Hong Kong is a part of China, China’s escort fleet will give necessary protection and assistance if need be, said Qin.

If Hong Kong’s vessels passing this sea area need the protection of
China’s escort fleet, they could express the requirement through
relevant channels, he said.

Noting he was not clear about the reported incident, Qin said the ministry would further verify the related details.

The ministry will express sympathy to the crew members on board and the shipowner, if the facts are true, he said.

Qin said combating pirates was the common responsibility of the
international community, and was also a grave concern for today’s
world.

China was ready to enhance cooperation with other countries on this
issue, and would be committed to safeguarding regional stability and
peace, he said.

Source: Xinhua

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