China Freighter Hijacked' by Pirates Off Iranian Coast

A Chinese shipping vessel was hijacked by pirates Friday in the Gulf of Oman, south of Iran, state media said, citing China’s embassy in Iran.

The cargo ship was hijacked Friday morning near the Iranian port of Chabahar, according to Xinhua news agency. The Chinese embassy in Iran has initiated an “emergency” operation aimed at rescuing the ship, it added.

It offered no other details including the nationality of the hijackers.

China has been heavily involved in anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and in international waters near the Gulf of Oman.

Since 2008, China has sent 10 escort missions and more than 8,000 military personnel to the Gulf of Aden, escorting more than 4,300 vessels in the process, state-run China Daily said last year.