BEIJING - A Panama-registered bulk cargo ship with 24 Chinese sailors on board was hijacked by seven pirates Thursday noon Beijing Time in the Arabian Sea, said China Sea Rescue Center.

Related readings:  Oil tanker hijacked off Kenya coast, 5 Chinese on board  S Korean cargo ship hijacked in Somalian waters  Pirates: Warship shadowing hijacked US yacht  Taiwan ship may be hijacked in Indian Ocean

Pirates attacked the vessel, "Full City," some 450 nautical miles off the coast of India's Mumbai and 750 nautical miles east of the area where the Chinese Navy convoy fleet was assembled, said an official of the rescue center.

Two Chinese navy vessels patrolling the Gulf of Aden were sent to rescue the ship.

The center has started a contingent plan and reported the incident to international authorities including the International Maritime Bureau.

China's Ministry of Transport has reminded Chinese shipping companies to guard against pirates and improve their self-aid capabilities.