China will make every effort to rescue the crew and the hijacked bulk carrier, the De Xin Hai, from pirates in the Indian Ocean, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Tuesday.

Ma told a regular press conference that the Chinese government was closely monitoring developments with the ship.

The Chinese vessel was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean early Monday, with 25 Chinese crew aboard.

European Union (EU) naval force spokesman John Harbour confirmed on Monday that the 25 Chinese were taken hostage by Somali pirates, but they seemed to be fine.

Ma said the Chinese Foreign Ministry and other government departments immediately started an emergency response procedure.

Chinese embassies and consulates have received instructions to gather and review information about the incident.

Ma said the Foreign Ministry had issued a warning to Chinese ships and citizens to avoid crossing the waters where the hijacking occurred.

"We will watch closely developments in the incident and make every effort to rescue the hijacked crew and carrier," Ma said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2009)