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Now is 'Right Time for China' to Play More Active Role in Syrian Crisis

© REUTERS / Damir SagoljSoldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China arrive on their armoured vehicles at Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015
Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China arrive on their armoured vehicles at Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Earlier in the week, Guan Youfei, director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China's Central Military Commission, visited Damascus. He pledged to increase "humanitarian" support for the Syrian and enhance personnel training.

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This decision could be very important for the Syrian war. China may add to the military assistance provided by Russia, Russian military expert Vasily Kashin told Sputnik.

Earlier, China provided significant military support for the Syrian Army, including deliveries of vehicles and military equipment. The recent developments show that China’s military support for Syria would be increased. Now the Syrian Army is in need of communication equipment, medicines and engineering hardware.

"As for personnel training, China has some advantages because some weapons with the Syrian Army are still in use with the Chinese Armed Forces," Kashin told Sputnik.

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Among those weapons are, for instance, Soviet-made D-20 and D-30 howitzers as well as BMP-1 infantry combat vehicles and S-60 anti-aircraft guns. They and their analogues are still used by the Chinese military, the expert said.

He added that China also could train military specialists in transportation, logistics, communications and military medical aid.

According to Kashin, it was very important for Beijing to pick the right time to get involved in the Syrian crisis with military assistance.

"It was difficult for China to take the right stance towards Syria, much more difficult than for Russia. Beijing has a broad network of trade ties with Middle Eastern countries, including regional rivals. Saudi Arabia and Iran are equally important for China as trade and energy partners," the expert said.

At the same time, Syria has become a place attracting radical Islamists from all over the world.

"There are hundreds of militants from China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Syria. They have schools and training camps there. China is interested in destroying the terrorists," the expert said.

In addition, if the Syrian war is over and Bashar Assad or some of his supporters stay in power it would be a big victory for developing countries.

"The US regime change strategy, including support for rebels and imposing pro-Western regimes, is collapsing. The consequences will be global, from the Middle East to Africa and Eastern Asia. China is concerned by Washington’s policy of 'color revolutions' and wants to undermine it," Kashin said.

Currently, the Syrian war is entering the decisive phase, including fierce clashes around Aleppo. The parties involved are intensifying their efforts, and maybe now is the right moment for China to get involved, he concluded. 

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