China calls for further coordination on Somali piracy

UNITED NATIONS - The international community should strengthen its coordination and cooperation on the Somali piracy issue, a Chinese diplomat said?on Wednesday.

"The issue of piracy off the Somali coast has always posed a serious threat to stability and development of the region as well as safety and security of international shipping," said Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, when addressing the 12th Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.

"At present, acts of piracy are still running rampant. They are getting apparently industrialized and violent, with increased all-weather piracy capabilities and expanding scope of attacks," he said. "It is imperative for the international community to strengthen coordination and cooperation to cope with these developments."

Wang noted that China supports combating piracy off the Somali coast under the relevant international law and Security Council resolutions and has taken an active part in international cooperation within the framework of the CGPCS.

The Chinese navy started to dispatch escort warships to the Gulf of Aden and the Somali waters in January 2009, he said. By the beginning of this July, China has dispatched 12 batches of 31 warships to engage in escort missions for 4,711 vessels in 469 batches, more than half of which are foreign vessels.

"The escort missions are 100 percent successful," he added.

The Chinese envoy also said the fundamental settlement of the Somali piracy issue depends on political stability, economic growth and social tranquility in the country.

"China hopes the parties concerned in Somalia can strengthen cooperation, resolve their disputes through dialogue and consultation, and end the transitional period as scheduled," he said.

Wang called on the international community to continue to put great emphasis on the situation in Somalia, saying that the international community should provide consistent and comprehensive support to Somalia and faithfully fulfill its commitments to assisting the country.

"China will continue to work with the international community and play a constructive role in promoting the peace process in Somalia," he added.

The CGPCS was established on January 14, 2009 to facilitate the discussion and coordination of actions among states and organizations to suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. This international forum has brought together more than 60 countries and international organizations, all of which are working towards the prevention of piracy off the Somali coast.