China warns its ships to steer clear of pirate danger zone

China’s transport ministry has issued a warning for the country’s ships to avoid the area of the Indian Ocean where a bulk carrier was hijacked two days ago. The De Xin Hai cargo ship was seized by Somali pirates with 25 crew on board, around 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) from Somalia’s coast. The ministry said in a statement: “Chinese ships must urgently steer as far away from the area as possible. Ships within the region must exercise caution and increase their vigilance.”