China will provide an escort for maritime transportation of Syria's chemical weapons, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said on Thursday.

Geng said at a monthly press briefing that the action responds to the call of both the UN Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

According to the OPCW, the most dangerous chemical substances will be transported out of Syria by the end of this year. The rest will be shipped out for destruction no later than June 30, 2014.

Geng said China keeps close communication with relevant parties when asked to provide more details of the Chinese Navy'escort.

According to the OPCW's plan, Denmark and Norway will provide vessels for the transportation of the chemicals, while countries like Finland, Russia and the United States have also pledged help. Endi