(Source: CGTN)

A convoy fleet sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy has rescued a ship from Tuvalu. It had been hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. All crew members subsequently came under protection of the Chinese Navy.

After getting a distress call about a pirate attack on the cargo vessel named OS35, the 25th convoy fleet of the Chinese Navy swung into action.

The fleet's vessel Yulin reached the area after 10 hours.

The rescue team had conducted reconnaissance and been in contact with the distressed ship's crew, before the operation began early Sunday morning.

Then, with cover from helicopters, a group of 16 Navy special forces boarded the ship.

The 19 crew members on board had locked themselves in a safe room, as per standard operating procedure.

"We carried out a thorough search of the ship to clear possible security threats and put the safety of the crew members first during the operation," said Zhao Lang, convoy fleet member.

The entire crew were rescued and placed under the protection of the Chinese Navy.

China's Foreign Ministry said the operation demonstrated the "effectiveness of the Chinese naval force in fighting against pirates".

China has maintained a naval presence in the piracy-infested Gulf of Aden since 2008.

In that time, a total of 26 groups of naval vessels have been sent to conduct escort missions.