China Declares War On ISIS, Promises To ‘Resolutely Crack Down’ On Terrorists


In a further escalation of the mounting global struggle against terrorism, China’s President Xi Jinping announced that his nation will join the war against ISIS. According to a report by The Mirror, Xi denounced the group’s recent spate of high-profile attacks and murders, and vowed that China will “hold the perpetrators accountable.”

“China will strengthen cooperation with the international community, resolutely crack down on violent terrorist operations that devastate innocent lives and safeguard world peace and security.”

Xi’s announcement comes after ISIS recently announced the execution of Chinese national Fan Jinghui. Fan, 50, is thought to have been captured by terrorist forces in September, and was offered “for sale” in an issue of an online magazine affiliated with ISIS. The most recent issue of the magazine, posted online last week, appears to include photographic evidence that Fan Jinghui was shot to death along with fellow captive, Norwegian national Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad.

china war on isis
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to fight ISIS after the terrorist group executed Fan Jinghui, a citizen of China. (Photo by Muneyoshi Someya – Pool /Getty Images)

During his remarks, President Xi also condemned the terrorist attack on a hotel in Mali that resulted in the death of 19 people. Three of the victims were Chinese executives, according to a report by The New York Times.

“With no regard for human conscience and moral baseline, the terrorist organization still carried out this cold-blooded and violent action… The Chinese government strongly condemns this inhuman action and will definitely hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Earlier this month, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson implied that China’s military was already engaging in combat situations in Syria, as noted by Business Insider, and other news outlets. The popular GOP contender later distanced himself from any specific assertions but also noted China’s purported involvement in selected aspects of the Syrian crisis.

china isis
Chinese soldiers ride in tanks as they pass in front of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City during a military parade in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

“In the decades past, China has regularly sold missiles, missile technology and missile components to Syria, despite US objections … China has also sold advanced radar to the Assad regime. Though the sale predates the current Syrian conflict, experienced military analysts believe that China likely continues to provide logistic and training support for these weapons.”

If Xi Jinping’s comments foretell a deployment of Chinese military forces in Syria and the surrounding region, that development could prove to be a watershed moment in the war against ISIS. The website Global Security ranks China’s military as the second largest force in the world, with over 1.2 million troops. The United States remains the largest force, narrowly edging out its Asian frenemy by around 50,000 troops. China is also one of only nine countries with a documented nuclear arsenal, comprised of approximately 260 warheads. According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), China can deploy nuclear weapons by land, air, and sea. Although not overtly hostile to the United States, the country continues to augment conventional and nuclear capabilities, maintaining a state of readiness due to a number of regional antagonisms, including tensions with Taiwan and recurring disputes on the Korean peninsula as well as in South Asia.

A number of countries, including the United States, have carried out airstrikes against ISIS forces as the conflict in Syria, and parts of Iraq, has spiraled out of control throughout the course of this year. Following the recent terror attacks in Paris, France mounted a devastating air campaign against the terrorist organization, including a massive strike in the ISIS capital of Raqqa. Russia has reportedly doubled its bombing efforts against ISIS since officials confirmed that a terrorist bomb brought down a Russian jetliner last month.

Now, in addition to the above-noted firepower, China’s government has reportedly dispatched a contingent of military might to the region, including J-15 warplanes that will attack ISIS via the Suez Canal. Russian officials have also noted that a Chinese cruiser and aircraft carrier are also in the area and will work with Russian allies to attack ISIS targets.

[Photo by Andy Wong – Pool/Getty Images]

Share this article: China Declares War On ISIS, Promises To ‘Resolutely Crack Down’ On Terrorists
More from Inquisitr