China intends to expand the role of the People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces in the face of relentless international terrorism.

The People's Liberation Army Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), said its Special Forces should play a greater role in protecting China's national overseas interests such as the supply lines from the country's foreign oil sources. It also said the Special Forces should also be more involved in counterterrorism operations abroad.

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Despite this news, it's still uncertain Beijing will embark on this course of action.

"I want to stress that China has not yet officially announced that it will be sending its Special Forces to protect the country's overseas interests," said Yang Mian, professor of international relations at the Communication University of China in Beijing, one of China's top public universities.

"The Special Forces are a new operational unit, and China's current actions are focused on reinforcing its potential for possible real combat operations."

China's most high profile public use of its Special Forces occurred when it embarked the commando team "Sea Dragon" of the People's Liberation Army Navy aboard three Chinese warships in protecting and escorting commercial ships against Somali pirates in December 2008.

Sea Dragon later took part in anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Eden for over 300 days and also helped evacuate Chinese citizens from civil war-hit Yemen.

On the other hand, Vladimir Yevseyev, head of the Eurasian Integration and SCO Development Department at the Institute of CIS Countries, described the suggestion in the People's Liberation Army Daily as Beijing's reply to the rising tide of international terrorism.

"The Chinese Special Forces may act in some Middle Eastern countries, including Syria, as well as in Afghanistan ... By resolving international terrorism-related problems, China will simultaneously uphold its national interests there," said Yevseyev.

China is estimated to have 14,000 men in its Special Forces units distributed among 13 military regions and other special units.

Tagschina, People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces, special forces, People's Liberation Army Navy, People's Liberation Army Daily