When you are in danger, motherland takes you home

The 19th escort fleet of the Chinese Navy then in the Gulf of Aden was tasked with the emergency evacuation and headed to the Yemeni ports of Aden, Hodeidah and Socotra five times. Continued shelling near the ports and complicated berthing conditions posed a constant test to the courage and wisdom of the naval officers and soldiers.

On April 2, evacuees were boarding the frigate Linyi when a fierce battle broke out in the old town of Aden. A crane just 20 meters away from the bow of the warship was shot by tank machine guns and hit by several stray bullets. In such an emergency, the on-site commander immediately searched the perimeter, closely guarded the evacuees waiting to board and got them on board as quickly as possible.

Against all odds, the warship set sail and swiftly left the port with everyone's safety ensured. With limited beds on the frigate, the officers and soldiers offered their own beds to the evacuees for them to have a good rest, and slept on the floor in the corridor. As green vegetables and fruits were precious on the warship, the crew ate only canned foods with pickled vegetables so that the evacuees could have decent meals.

Deputy Director of the Operations Department of the Chinese Navy Liang Yang said, "For us in the navy, it would be our honor and pride to have pickled vegetables as long as the safety of the Chinese nationals can be ensured."

While evacuating Chinese nationals, the Chinese government, in the spirit of humanitarianism and internationalism, extended a helping hand to foreign nationals in danger and helped evacuate people from 15 countries including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Germany.

The Pakistani ambassador to Yemen called his Chinese counterpart and said movingly that the operation once again proved that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and that Chinese people are family of Pakistani people.

When Sri Lankan national Boudika, in desperation, turned to the Chinese Embassy in Yemen for help, the embassy staff told him, "We are brothers. China will help you." Boudika later said that he would remember that moment for the rest of his life and that no words could describe his gratitude to China.

Germany, Japan, Poland, Sri Lanka, Djibouti and other countries all expressed appreciation to China for the humanitarian assistance. "Thank you, China," said in various languages, became the most touching words repeated on the Chinese warships taking people home. Many foreign evacuees were still clutching the Chinese flag in their hands when arriving in their home countries.