China evacuates nationals from Yemen

A group of 122 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from conflict-ridden Yemen by a Chinese warship and arrived in the east African country of Djibouti, a Chinese navy spokesperson said on Monday.

Also on board the People's Liberation Army Navy warship Linyi were two non-Chinese employed by Chinese enterprises, Liang Yang said on Monday.

The ship picked up the 124 people at noon on Sunday from Aden Harbor of Yemen and arrived in Djibouti Harbor eight hours later.

They have been properly received by the Chinese embassy in Djibouti, Liang said.

Yemen is suffering from political unrest and clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country.

Following orders by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission, Linyi is one of three Chinese naval ships that have gone to Yemem to evacuate Chinese as the situation there is deteriorating rapidly, Liang said.

The fleet is comprised of missile frigates Linyi and Weifang, and supply ship Weishanhu, which had all been carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to protect Chinese and foreign vessels from piracy. Endi