China has said it will continue to escort the cargo ships transporting Syria's chemical weapons out of the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments at a routine press conference on Tuesday.

"Overcoming numerous difficulties, the Syrian government transported out the first batch of chemical weapons on January the 7th. China has been working in coordination with Russia and Denmark to ensure smooth transportation. China appreciates the efforts made by all parties involved in the process," Hong Lei said.

Hong said the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry had sent representatives to Cyprus to participate in the coordination of the shipping out of Syria's chemical weapons. He said that they had been in close contact with the UN, OPCW, Russia, Denmark and other countries involved in the dangerous operation.

Hong said shipping of Syria's chemical weapons is the key link of the entire destruction process, and China is willing to make joint efforts with all parties concerned to keep the momentum going.

The special-operation detachment of the Chinese Yancheng frigate escorting Syria's chemical weapons out of the country performed live ammunition drill on January the 11th in Syrian territorial waters.