China’s desire to upgrade ties with Syria could be the first step toward a non-NATO military and political coalition, according to Admiral Vladimir Komoedov, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma Defense Committee.

Speaking after a statement from the Chinese Defense Ministry about boosting military cooperation with Syria, Komoedov said:

“The Chinese military in Syria is the first step towards putting together a serious military-political coalition dominated by countries that are not aligned with the aggressive NATO bloc. The time has come to form such a coalition…”

Last week, Guan Youfei, director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China’s Central Military Commission, met Syrian Defence Minister Fahad Jassim al-Freij in Damascus, Syria.

While underlining the importance of a political resolution to the conflict in Syria, Youfei said;

“China and Syria’s militaries have a traditionally friendly relationship, and China’s military is willing to keep strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Syria’s military.”

Komoedov said that the combined efforts of Russia, China, India and Iran in Syria could end the fight against the so-called Islamic State within a year, adding that as well as the powerful military potential, the coalition would carry significant political influence.