China on Tuesday restated its intention to use Chinese naval vessels off Somalia in the Gulf of Aden to protect Taiwanese ships against pirate attacks.

Asked to comment on the Taiwan authority's plan to send its own escort vessels to protect Taiwan ships in the Gulf, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, "China's naval operations off Somalia observe the UN resolutions and meet the demands of the Somali transitional government.

"The Chinese escort fleet also protects Taiwan ships, and that's what we are doing there."

Two Chinese destroyers and a supply ship are in the Gulf of Aden to protect Chinese civilian vessels and crews, including those from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign vessels on request as well.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2009)