China disagreed with the European Parliament's decision to award the 2008 Sakharov Prize for human rights to Hu Jia and will not veer from its resolve to the rule of law.

"No matter what is the European Parliament's intention, China will continue the socialism with Chinese characteristics and adhere to the principle of law" said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at a regular press conference Thursday.

Liu made the remarks while commenting on the European Parliament's top human rights award to Hu Jia Wednesday.

"Such a wrong act will not change China's resolution to go its own way. We have explained our position many times, and I believe that the European Parliament is very clear about China's stance," Liu said.

Liu also said China was considering to send warships to fight pirates off the coast of Somalia.

"The Chinese side is actively considering sending naval ships to the Gulf of Aden and the Somalia seas to safeguard sea lanes," Liu told the regular briefing.

Liu's remarks came one day after a Chinese commercial vessel thwarted an attack off the Somali coast.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2008)