The 12 Vietnamese nationals, together with 13 mainland Chinese and a Taiwanese, were working on the Taiwanese fishing trawler FV Shiuh Fu No1, when they were attacked by Somali pirates in the area off the coast of Madagascar in December 2010.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the whole crew of 26 people was safely rescued on the evening of July 17 after concerted efforts from various parties.

The released hostages were taken to Tanzania by the Chinese naval ship and they would be sent home soon.