Beijing - Chinese naval vessels have rescued an Italian ship bearing the Liberian flag from pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, state media said on Thursday.

The government's official Xinhua news agency gave no details of the operation or sources for its brief report.

A Chinese naval fleet of two destroyers and a supply ship joined international anti-piracy patrols off Sudan early last month.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval fleet is carrying about 800 crew, including 70 special forces soldiers, and is equipped with missiles, cannons and light weapons, the agency said earlier.

The UN Security Council in December adopted its third resolution authorizing states to take enhanced and "robust action," and coordinate to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Some NATO countries, along with Russia, India and Malaysia, are also involved in the international fight against piracy. (dpa)