Xi, Putin hail Chinese, Russian sailors escorting Syrian chemical weapons shipments

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 6 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday jointly held a video talk with naval commanders aboard their countries' warships escorting the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons.

Briefing Xi and Putin about their mission in the Mediterranean Sea, the commanders said their vessels have completed two escort operations in close cooperation and are now in good condition and ready for the next assignment.

Xi congratulated the commanders on the success, and encouraged them to complete the UN-mandated mission and thus contribute to the removal of Syria's chemical weapons and the pursuit of a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.

Citing the jubilant events of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games and the Chinese Spring Festival, Xi conveyed sincere greetings and good wishes to all crew members and their families on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Putin, for his part, also sent his regards to all those on board, noting that they are trusted with the great task of safeguarding the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

Both Russia and China are active champions for a political settlement of the Syrian crisis, said Putin, expressing his hope that the warships involved will complete the mission and help maintain global and regional security.

In order to help implement UN Security Council Resolution 2118 and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' decision to destroy Syria's chemical weapons, China, Denmark, Norway and Russia have sent warships to escort the shipments of Syria's chemical weapons. The Chinese and Russian vessels are grouped into a unit.