Q: It is learnt that the Chinese crew on board "NAHAM 3", a fishing boat hijacked by Somali pirates, were rescued. Please give us more details.

A: In March, 2012, the Omani-flagged Taiwan fishing boat was hijacked by Somali pirates. 29 crew members were on board, including 10 from the Chinese mainland, 2 from Taiwan, and 17 others from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. During their time in captivity, three died, including one from the Chinese mainland and one from Taiwan. Thanks to efforts by all parties, on October 22, 2016 Beijing time, the rest 26 crew members were rescued and sent to Kenya under the assistance of relevant UN agencies. The Chinese government has sent a working group to receive the Chinese crew. After they go through physical examination and psychological counseling, the rescued Chinese crew will be escorted by the working group of the Chinese Foreign Ministry back to China and reunite with their families as soon as possible.

The Chinese government hereby expresses sincere gratitude to all the institutions and personnel involved in the rescue mission and best wishes for those rescued crew. We mourn the death of those 3 crew members and convey sympathy to the bereaved families. We strongly condemn the cruelty of the pirates who defy the dignity of human life.