Chinese navy evacuates Chinese nationals from war-torn Yemen
China had started evacuating its 590 citizens from war-torn Yemen, Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed, as Arab leaders vowed to continue Saudi-led air strikes against Shiite rebels.
China had started evacuating its 590 citizens from war-torn Yemen, Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed yesterday, as Arab leaders vowed to continue Saudi-led air strikes against Shiite rebels.
"We have about 500 compatriots in Yemen, and we are concerned about every one of them," China National Radio quoted Wang as saying on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province.
"They will soon be on their way home safe and sound."
A port official and witnesses told Reuters that a Chinese warship had docked in the embattled Yemeni port city of Aden yesterday to evacuate Chinese diplomats and expatriate workers.
There were 590 Chinese nationals in Yemen, CNR reported, citing ambassador Tian Qi.
Wang said the foreign ministry activated its emergency response system on Thursday night when the air strikes started.
On Friday, China's naval escort mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia was abruptly suspended. The China Shipowners' Association, which announced the suspension, said it did not know when it would resume.
The mission's fleet comprises two guided-missile frigates - the Linyi and the Weifang - and the supply ship Weishanhu. Dozens of special forces soldiers are among the 700 or so crew, according to China News Service.
In 2011, more than 35,000 Chinese were evacuated from Libya during its civil war. Last summer, more than 1,000 Chinese nationals were withdrawn after new conflicts broke out.
India yesterday said it was preparing to fly out about 4,100 stranded citizens from Yemen. Pakistan said it had sent a jumbo jet and a naval frigate to evacuate its citizens and diplomatic staff.
More than 200 staff from the UN, embassies and other organisations were evacuated by air on Saturday, aid workers said.
