Chinese sailors freed by pirates

BEIJING - Nineteen Chinese sailors hijacked by Somali pirates for 131 days returned to China safe and sound on Wednesday.

An operator surnamed Pan with the Dingheng Ship Industry Corporation told China Daily that the sailors arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday afternoon and are expected to arrive at the company on Thursday.

"I really want to thank my country," said Tang Liyuan, a junior student working as an intern on the ship.