Beijing, December 18, SPA-- China announced Thursday it will dispatch naval ships to join international forces battling Somali pirates, according to a report of Associated Press. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Beijing welcomed stronger international cooperation in countering piracy, which was why China decided to send vessels to help the cause. «Now the preparation is under way, » Liu said, without elaborating on details of the mission. He said information will be released later.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/617391