China deploys six warships to Middle East over fears Israel crisis could spark WW3
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China has deployed six warships to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, according to reports.
The 44th naval escort task force - from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre - has been involved in routine operations in the region and spent several days in Oman last week.
The Chinese warships left Muscat for an unspecified location on Saturday after participating in an exercise with the Omani navy.
The task force includes the Zibo, a guided missile destroyer, the frigate Jingzhou, and the supply ship Qiandaohu - all of which will be stationed in the Middle East as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza.
During the visit to Oman, Chinese commanders met with Omani military officials and visited military institutions, while sailors from both countries toured shops and even organized a basketball game, according to a state news agency.
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A Chinese Navy warship is seen in the contested waters in the South China sea on Oct. 4, 2023 (Image: AP)
✓ Since arriving in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia six months ago, the PLA task force has been involved in escort missions for shipping.
However, it handed over its mission to the 45th task force - from the PLA’s Northern Theatre command - earlier this month.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Thursday that a two-state solution to establish an independent Palestine is the “fundamental way out” of the Israel-Hamas war.
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According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Xi said: “The top priority now is a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control and causing a serious humanitarian crisis.”
China’s deployment comes after the US sent a powerful arsenal to the Middle East earlier this week.
The USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean earlier this week (Image: Getty)
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✓ The Pentagon has placed roughly 2,000 Army and Air Force personnel and a range of units on a state of readiness as Israel prepares for their attack against Hamas.
[✓ The US sent two aircraft carriers - including the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower - to the eastern Mediterranean along with planes that could carry out airstrikes.
✓ Even more planes have been dispatched to US military bases in the region, including F-15 and F-16 fighter jet squadrons.
The increased military presence in the Middle East reflects concern in Washington that rising tensions in Israel could become an all-out war.
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Chinese UN envoy calls for effective measures to promote immediate ceasefire between Palestine, Israel
A Chinese envoy on Friday said that the Palestinian-Israeli situation is the most pressing issue, and a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue cannot be delayed.
The outbreak of fresh conflict shows that piecemeal crisis management is unsustainable, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).
China supports the League of Arab States and Arab countries in playing a leading role, he said, urging the United Nations and the Security Council to heed the call of Arab countries, strengthen coordination with regional mechanisms, work on the basis of international consensus, take effective measures to promote an immediate ceasefire and make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians in order to prevent an even deadlier humanitarian disaster.
The times call for unity and cooperation, without which effective responses to various global challenges will be impossible, said Zhang.
(Cover: Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, October 20, 2023. /CFP)
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
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