The hijack saga off Somalia has stoked fires of nationalism online, with internet users calling for a showdown between the three Chinese navy ships and the pirates.
Although some lamented the danger to the hostages and urged authorities not to risk their lives, many called for a show of force.
A blogger using the name 'Next to the Songhua River' said the issue should be resolved with the use of force, even if it could result in the loss of lives.
'Our government's authority would be undermined if we surrender to pirates, and this would be a disaster for the leaders and the general public. On the other hand, if this crisis can be pro-actively dealt with, it will benefit both our country and China's international relations,' he wrote.
His opinion was echoed by a poster on a Tianya forum. 'China is a major world country and also a permanent member of the UN Security Council, so giving in to terrorism and piracy would make us the laughing stock of the world. When facing the threat of terrorism, did the Western powers surrender?' he wrote.
Some said the incident further justified China's desire to build its own aircraft carrier.