Inforwars reported that a Chinese Type 071 Landing Platform Dock passed through the Suez canal. But it is Infowars and Alex Jones.
Not a credible source, and the usual list of suspects are feeding off the same single, unverified and unconfirmed report for all of their stories.
Until I get word from a far more credible source, I will simply not believe it.
That vessel is a part of the 14th or 15th Chinese task force to the Arabian Sea to do the international anti-piracy thing.
The Chinese have little to no interest in Syria, and the vessel in question would not go in there alone in any case. It would have to have a frigate or destroyer as an escort, particularly in a potentially hot combat zone.
Just too risky for the Chinese to do woith one of their three such vessels, which they view as a capitol ship. Little or no gain for them and their interests.
Found this report by DEBKA:
A Chinese landing craft with 1,000 marines for Syria reports
DEBKAfile September 6, 2013, 12:31 PM (GMT+02:00) Western naval sources reported Friday that a Chinese landing craft, the Jinggangshan, with a 1,000-strong marine battalion had reached the Red Sea en route for the Mediterranean off Syria. According to DEBKAfile, Beijing has already deployed a number of warships opposite Syria in secret. If the latest report is confirmed, this will be the largest Chinese deployment in the Middle East in its naval history.
These reports cite reports from Egypt and the Chinese PLA. Will keep and eye open for any reports from western sources and ping you if I see any.
Thanks,