China

China said it may deploy warships off the Horn of Africa as a Chinese ship became the fourth vessel to be attacked by Somali pirates in two days. The crew of the China Communications Construction Co. ship fought pirates for five hours before coalition helicopters chased them off, Noel Choong, head of the Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau, said by phone today. He said a Turkish cargo ship, a Malaysian tug, and a yacht were seized off Somalia, the same day the UN Security Council backed military action against piracy, by permitting all nations and regional organizations – with the consent of Somalia's provisional government – to "take all necessary measures that are appropriate" to deter piracy. (Bloomberg)