BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- A Chinese frigate assigned to help escort Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons out of the country has arrived in Cyprus.
The Yancheng missile frigate will accompany a Norwegian-Danish convoy in shipping the Syrian government’s chemical arsenal from the port city of Latakia.
The transport was originally scheduled to leave before December 31st. But that deadline was missed because of poor weather, logistical delays and the conflict inside Syria. The ships are now waiting for the go-ahead from international watchdogs overseeing the weapons disposal.
Chinese and Cypriot officials said it was unclear when exactly the removal would begin. But the Chinese ambassador to Syria said China continues to support the disarmament plan.
"China supports the efforts of the international community to destroy the Syrian chemical weapons and we come to Cyprus to participate in this international operation," said Liu Xinsheng, Chinese ambassador to Cyprus.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
Related:
Chinese frigate on Syrian chemicals removal mission arrives in Cyprus
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese navy frigate arrived in the Cypriot port of Limassol on Saturday at the start of its mission to provide security support to the operation for removing Syria's chemical weapons.
The frigate Yancheng was welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Liu Xinsheng and Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou when it anchored in the southern Cypriot port. Full story
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