Drilling to keep sharp, sailors on the ninth deployment practice how to climb aboard a commercial ship. Li Gencheng / for China Daily

Foreign navies can't operate legally in Somalia's territorial waters, and Ibrahim said the escort missions alone can't eliminate piracy. "It's just an emergency method . . . A better solution is to help establish peace and stability in Somalia. The real remedy is to help the Somalia government."

The priority for his country's current government is to ensure domestic security, he said. He called for international help in setting up coastal forces so his country can guarantee peaceful passage in the gulf.

"We need the full support of China and other countries . . . Technology, operation and training support from other countries is vital to establishing our own coast guard," Ibrahim said.

"The only legitimate, efficient and the cheapest way to fight the pirates is by Somalia's government itself."