MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali pirates warned on Monday they would kill the crew of a Chinese bulk carrier if China's navy attempted to wrest control of the vessel from them.

In a statement read to Reuters over the phone, one of the pirates holding the 25 crew members of the coal ship De Xin Hai, seized in mid-October, said they had heard the Chinese navy was planning a rescue mission.

"We know they have arrayed their warships in Somalia waters to attack us," pirate Nur said, reading the statement from on board the ship.

"There have been negotiations between us and the Chinese to release the ship and we are not ignorant about their deception.

"We are telling them not to gamble with the lives of the Chinese teenagers in our hands. Honestly, we will kill if we are attacked."

Earlier this month, one pirate said his gang and owners of the vessel were discussing a $3.5 million ransom.

The Chinese bulk vessel was hijacked with 76,000 tonnes of coal and is owned by the Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co.