China’s Foreign Ministry announced that Chinese warships have been used to withdraw hundreds of Chinese citizens from the war-torn Yemen to Djibouti.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told the official Xinhua news agency that at least 122 Chinese nationals have been moved to Djibouti, located across the strait in the Gulf of Aden from Yemen onboard the People’s Liberation Army Navy warship Linyi.
Among those that were picked up by the Chinese navy ship were seven women and a child. The operation was conducted after China’s central government ordered navy vessels positioned in the Gulf of Aden and Somal to perform the evacuation.
The Chinese navy ships were performing anti-pirate missions in Aden and Somali waters.
The navy ships that responded to the evacuation call include missile frigates Linyi and Weifang, and supply ship Weishanshu.
“Chinese Ambassador Tian Qi and a necessary number of embassy staff are now holding their posts in Yemen… they have maintained close communication with all relevant parties and made all-out efforts to help the remaining 400-plus Chinese in Yemen withdraw safely and in good order,” Hua was quoted as saying.
It is the first time that China naval combat ships have stopped at a foreign harbor to perform evacuation operations, experts said.
While 122 Chinese citizens were already evacuate from Yemen to Djibouti, China still has to evacuate 400 more citizens from Yemen. – BusinessNewsAsia.com