Crew members help people stepping down the Chinese Linyi missile frigate when they arrive in Djibouti, April 2, 2015. A total of 225 nationals from 10 countries who were evacuated from conflict-ridden Yemen arrived in Djibouti onboard a Chinese frigate on Thursday. (Photo: Xinhua/Pan Siwei)
China wrapped up its evacuation mission Tuesday by dispatching two naval vessels to evacuate the last batch of Chinese nationals from restive Yemen.
In four operations since March 29, a total of 629 Chinese nationals and 279 foreign citizens were successfully evacuated from Yemen aboard Chinese vessels, which could be considered modern "Noah's Arks."
Lending a helping hand to its nationals as well as citizens of 15 other countries in need, China has shown a humanitarian spirit and great responsibility.
The successful evacuation mission reflects a significant growth in China's comprehensive national power, Chinese Ambassador to Yemen Tian Qi said in an interview with Xinhua.
Moreover, the evacuation mission reaffirms the Chinese government's commitment to making its people a top priority, and also demonstrates the Chinese government's decisiveness and efficiency, Tian said.
SWIFT MOVE FOR EVACUATION
On March 26 Saudi-led coalition forces launched air strikes in Yemen against the Shiite Houthi group. The air campaign has led to the suspension of all commercial flights at airports across the country. Only a few airports are open for charter planes.
Therefore, preparation for the evacuation in Aden was extremely difficult due to the intensive exchange of fire between warring parties, Tian said.
The Chinese Embassy decided immediately after a brief ceasefire to begin the operation one day earlier on March 29, Tian said, adding that the original plan was to start the missions in Aden and al-Hodayda both on March 30.
The first group of 122 Chinese nationals was evacuated from the Yemeni city of Aden and arrived in Djibouti on the night of March 29 onboard Linyi, which also took two foreign employees of Chinese enterprises.
On March 30, 449 Chinese citizens and six foreigners got on the Weifang missile frigate in al-Hodayda and left for Djibouti.
"We made a very detailed plan before the evacuation in al-Hodayda. And it only took about half an hour for over 400 people to embark on the warship, more than one hour earlier than the estimated time," Tian said.
