NEWS

Chinese warship in Cyprus to aid Syrian weapons removal

A Chinese frigate which will help escort Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons out of the country docked in Cyprus on Saturday as part of a delayed international mission.

The Yancheng, a missile frigate, will accompany a Norwegian-Danish convoy which is in international waters off Syria, waiting for the go-ahead from international watchdogs overseeing the removal of the chemical arsenal.

The mission to ship chemicals from Syria has missed its Dec. 31 target date and Chinese and Cypriot officials said it was unclear exactly when it would begin.

“China supports the efforts of the international community to destroy the Syrian chemical weapons … we wish this operation a success,» said Liu Xinsheng, the Chinese ambassador to Cyprus.

Photis Photiou, the defence minister of Cyprus, said after meeting Chinese officials that he expected the operation would start «any day now».

Dozens of Chinese nationals in Cyprus converged on the quay of Limassol port, about 160 miles (250 kms) west of the Syrian port city of Latakia from where the chemicals will be shipped.

Loudspeakers blared Chinese music as Chinese flags were waved by women in traditional yellow and red costumes.

[Reuters]

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.