Beijing: China on Friday opened a two-day international conference on efforts to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden from Somali pirates, the Defence Ministry said.
The meeting would be attended by representatives from "Russia, Japan, India, the European Union, and other countries` marine forces, including NATO," it said in a fax.
"The main topic of discussion will be the implementation of cooperative efforts to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden and coming up with the best formula for international cooperation," it said.
China in January joined international efforts to police waters off Somalia in a bid to fend off pirate attacks.
The meeting comes nearly three weeks after a Chinese coal-carrying vessel with 25 crew members was hijacked by Somali pirates north of the Seychelles.
China has said efforts to secure the release of the vessel and its crew were under way but has refused to provide details.
The Defence Ministry statement gave no further details on the meeting, such as where it was being held, and an official who asked not to be named told by phone that media would not be allowed to cover the meeting.
Bureau Report
