China today thanked India for rescuing 17 Chinese nationals from a cargo ship which sank in the Bay of Bengal due to Cyclone Phailin."We want to express our gratitude to the Indian side for their help," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.The Panama registered MV Bingo carrying 8,000 tonne of iron ore was sailing to China after it left the Sagar anchorage on Friday. It went missing the day after.The cargo ship sunk in rough seas caused by Cyclone Phailin off the coast of West Bengal but its crew consisting 17 Chinese and an Indonesian was rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.Seventeen Chinese crew members were rescued off Balasore coast by Indian Coast Guard, which responded to request for help from Chinese Consulate in Kolkata.

Hua said Chinese diplomats in India visited the rescued Chinese sailors and efforts were underway to bring them back home.