Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu announced:

The "De Xin Hai" Vessel with 25 crew members aboard, which belongs to Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd, was hijacked in the Indian Ocean by Somali pirates on October 19, 2009. After the incident, the Chinese Government attached high importance to that and relevant departments and enterprises carried out rescue operation actively to ensure the safety of the hijacked crew members and the ship.

According to the reporting of the Chinese Marine Search and Rescue Center, the 25 Chinese crew members and the "De Xin Hai" vessel were safely rescued through combined efforts at 3 a.m. on December 28, 2009, Beijing Time. The Chinese naval escort fleet has placed the vessel under its protection and will provide medical checkup to crew members, resupply provisions, escort the crew members and the ship to safe waters, and ensure their safe return to China as soon as possible,

The Chinese government expressed cordial greetings to the rescued crew members and their families. The Chinese Foreign Ministry once again reminds Chinese vessels and personnel of keeping away from relevant dangerous waters and take safety precautions so as to avoid accidents. China's Ministry of Transport once again requires the vessels and personnel of China's shipping companies to further strengthen self-protective and self-rescue measures in an effort to prevent hijack by pirates.