China says it has rescued the 25 crew members of a ship hijacked by Somali pirates in October. No mention of ransom payment was made but there are reports that four million dollars were paid on Sunday. The Foreign Ministry said the De Xin Hia bulk carrier is now sailing under Chinese naval escort after the rescue operation. The hijack was the first of a Chinese ship since China sent three warships to join the international anti-piracy force in the Gulf of Aden. The De Xin Hai was carrying about 76,000 tonnes of coal from South Africa to India when it was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on the 19th October.