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A Chinese fishing vessel hijacked off the Somali coast in November has been released

BOSSASO (SD) – The Chinese Embassy in Somalia announced on Monday that a Chinese fishing vessel hijacked off the Somali coast in November has been released along with its 18 crew members.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the embassy said the crew was rescued after “relentless efforts by the Chinese government.”

“The Chinese government strongly condemns this heinous act, which endangered the safety of workers and international maritime security. It will continue to firmly protect the legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and companies abroad,” the statement read.

The vessel and its crew were hijacked in late November and taken to the Xaafuun district of Puntland, a coastal region in northeastern Somalia.

The pirates initially demanded a $10 million ransom. However, it remains unclear whether a ransom was paid for the release.

The embassy noted that the Chinese government collaborated closely with Somalia’s federal government and Puntland authorities in efforts to secure the crew’s freedom.

This hijacking highlights the ongoing security challenges in Somali waters. Piracy has plagued Somalia for years, peaking in 2011 when the United Nations recorded over 160 attacks off the Somali coast.

However, such incidents have significantly declined since then, largely due to the presence of U.S. and allied naval forces in international waters.

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