NATO missiles along Turkey’s border with Syria inconducive to peace in Middle East: China

China has once again slammed NATO decision to deploy Patriot missiles along Turkey’s border with Syria, saying the move is “inconducive to peace and stability in the region.”

“Highlighting military factors and strengthening military existence are inconducive to the resolution of conflicts and disputes, and inconducive to the peace, stability and development in the whole region,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said in a press conference, on Wednesday

“We have noticed the situation. China has always insisted on political resolution of tensions in [the] Syria issue through dialogue and consultation,” he added.

Hong Lei’s comments come a day after NATO said that it has decided to deploy Patriot missile batteries along Turkey’s borders with Syria.

“NATO has agreed to augment Turkey’s air defense capabilities in order to defend the population and territory of Turkey and to contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the alliance’s border,” the 28-member alliance’s foreign ministers said in a statement without specifying the locations and number of missiles to deployed in Turkey.

On November 21, Ankara formally asked NATO to deploy the surface-to-air Patriot missiles on its border with Syria. In response, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance would consider the Turkish request “without delay.”

However, many have slammed NATO’ plan, saying it is meant to open the door for military intervention in Syria.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the deployment could spark regional conflagration and an armed conflict involving NATO as well.

According to Turkish sources, NATO launched a new military base in the country’s western province of Izmir earlier this week.

Reports indicate that a NATO delegation has also visited the southeastern Turkish province of Sanliurfa to investigate possible sites for the missiles.