Rescue highlights humanitarian role

Pictures of foreign children waving Chinese flags and kissing Chinese sailors on the cheek as they were taken to safety on board a warship have appeared online amid global acclaim for the country's growing humanitarian role.

Observers say the unprecedented evacuation of 225 foreign nationals from Yemen highlights China's ability and commitment to carry out humanitarian missions as a major country with a strong sense of responsibility.

A diplomatic source familiar with the operation told Reuters it was "very risky", and said the fighting in the streets of Aden had moved close to the warship as the evacuees boarded.