Crew members help people stepping down the Chinese Linyi missile frigate when they arrive in Djibouti, April 2, 2015. A total of 225 nationals from 10 countries who were evacuated from conflict-ridden Yemen arrived in Djibouti onboard a Chinese frigate on Thursday. (Photo: Xinhua/Pan Siwei)
It's a grand sea escape from conflict-ridden Yemen. Since late March, hundreds of Chinese and foreign nationals have been brought to safety in four rescue missions. They all share the same Chinese boat.
"China gave me a new life," said a grateful Fridous while stepping off the Chinese missile frigate, which took her and her three children to peaceful Djibouti after completing a run from Yemen.
The Pakistani woman was among the 279 foreign citizens of 15 countries who were evacuated from Yemen onboard the Chinese warship in recent days.
The evacuation marked the first time that China has helped evacuate foreigners from scenes of an overseas crisis.
For those embarking on the Chinese boat, hope and relief led the way back home.
"The airstrikes in Yemen really scared all of us," said Usaca Perera, a Sri Lankan who served as the liaison person coordinating the evacuation of more than 40 Sri Lankan citizens.
In Yemen, Perera said he had also asked for help from another country which had plans to evacuate their citizens. "They simply turned us down and did not show the least care about our lives."
"But China is totally different. After receiving our request, Chinese diplomats immediately contacted us and treated us in the same way as Chinese citizens," he said.
"It's so reassuring to have a powerful China as our friend," he said to Xinhua. "On behalf of my compatriots, I thank the Chinese government."
To Natnail, a 10-year-old Ethiopian boy, fleeing Yemen means he will be able to ride his bike on the street, again.
"I don't like it here (Yemen). It's dangerous. I cannot ride the bike on the street. I'm so happy to see the Chinese boat," said Natnail, pushing a bicycle through a security checkpoint before boarding the ship.
