Chinese navy looms as Russia strikes Syrian rebels
Sources say ship lies in wait in Mediterranean amid denials
AARON KLEIN
WND.com
Oct. 8, 2015
TEL AVIV – As Russia’s Caspian Sea fleet launched precision-guided cruise missiles at Syrian rebel positions, a Chinese naval vessel continued to loom menacingly in the background, maintaining its presence in the Mediterranean Sea amid Chinese denials that the People’s Liberation Army will enter the Syrian conflict.
A Middle Eastern defense official affirmed the Chinese military ship is located a short trip of several “hours” from the Syrian coast. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that while China’s intentions are unclear, the vessel’s presence is well known to Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf countries as well as to the U.S. and Russia.
The official said that China is reluctant to directly intervene in Syria or approach Syrian waters unless the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad formally requests the assistance of Chinese military advisers.
Even then, China may only take on an advisory role and not carry out military missions alongside the Russians and Syrians, the official said.
Reconfirming information reported by WND last month, the official said another option being discussed is for the Russian government to make a public gesture toward requesting the Chinese presence.
A Syrian regime source confirmed knowledge of the Chinese vessel and said no decision has been made by Assad’s regime about requesting any Chinese assistance in fighting the years-long insurgency led by Middle East rebels.
Publicly, China has maintained a detached posture toward the Syrian conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the U.N. Security Council last week that “the international community cannot look on without lifting a finger, but also ought not to interfere arbitrarily.”
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