Reports have confirmed that a Chinese fishing ship, which was hijacked by armed men off the coast of Puntland, has been released on March 2. All crew members were onboard during the release, which was achieved through coordinated efforts led by the Chinese government in collaboration with the Somali Federal Government and Puntland. According to the Chinese embassy in Mogadishu, the release was the result of close cooperation between the leadership in Somalia and the Puntland Presidential Palace, and the operation was carried out peacefully. The embassy strongly condemned the attack on the Chinese fishing ship and revealed that the ship had a valid operating license in Somali waters. The Chinese government has promised to take necessary measures to rescue its citizens and has been working closely with the Somali Federal Government to secure their release. It is unclear if a ransom was paid for the release of the ship, as the pirate group responsible for the hijacking had demanded several million dollars. However, recent reports from 2025 to 2026 have revealed that Chinese fishing ships have been engaging in bottom trawling in Somali waters, specifically off the coast of Puntland. These ships have been accused of illegal fishing practices, which could have a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of local fishermen.
