An honour guard hold up a picture of Samarn Kunan, 38, a former member of Thailand's elite navy SEAL unit who died working to save 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped inside a flooded cave, at an airport in Rayong province, Thailand.
The wife of a former Thai navy diver who died working to rescue a young soccer team trapped for days in a flooded cave said on Thursday she missed him dearly and urged the boys not to blame themselves for his death.
The rescued boys smiled and waved from their hospital beds in the first video clip released on Wednesday after an ordeal that has gripped the world.
Samarn Kunan, 38, a former member of the elite navy SEALs unit, was the only casualty in a multinational operation to save the boys and their coach after monsoon rains trapped them in the cave they were exploring in northern Thailand.
Political analysts interpreted China's pledge to send more than $23 billion in loans and humanitarian aid to Arab countries as a step to increase Chinese influence in the region.Dr. Altay Atli, a lecturer at Koc University, delivered remarks on Chinese President Xi Jinping's promise to send humanitarian aid and billions worth of loans to Arab countries during a conference, which was participated by 22 Arab countries, in Beijing.Chinese interest was actually based on "Belt and Road Project" and China sped up its support to the Middle Eastern countries who were subjected to constant change due to wars and terror, Atli told Anadolu Agency."China produces half of its oil and gas on its own, however, the demand is too much. Therefore, China buys half of its oil and gas needs from the Middle East, hence the efforts to have a say in the region," he said.Atli pointed out that China was solely focused on the economic aspects of the Middle East policy, however things changed after 2011's Arab Spring as China found itself isolated from the region in terms of economy."China continues its aids and investments to the region during the financial shifts. While doing this, it wants to join the roundtable by having a say in politics and economy of the Middle East, which will be reshaped again," he added.Atli went on to note that China hadn't sent troops or fighter jets to the region despite being on the same page with Russia. "In short, China wants to maintain a presence within the scope of Belt and Road Project, it uses the economic presence instead of military intervention," he said.- China's role in the Middle EastThe conference was largely covered by the Chinese press as some experts opined that the loan and aid promise "might strengthen China's role in the region."Chinese experts also pointed out that the move should be regarded as normal given that China had a Muslim population of 20 million.Having established close ties with nine Arab countries via "Belt and Road Project", China would find more "practical" ways to the current problems in the region, according to Chinese experts.- Security aspect of the Chinese investmentsExperts stressed that safety should be the priority in the region, which suffers clashes and civil wars.They warned that China's national interests might be imperiled should the oil sources or trade routes are to be cut all of a sudden.Joost Hiltermann, the program director of the Middle East and North Africa for International Crisis Group, said that China assumed a financial role in the region, while staying away from the political issues."If their [China's] security status puts commercial interest and investments under danger, China, in the end, will have no other option than the military intervention. This will be a distressed period in which Beijing will take some tough decision. Along with some friends, they will also make some enemies," he asserted.- China's great investment in Middle EastChinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday announced in a conference participated by 22 Arab countries that Beijing would pledge more than $23 billion worth loans and humanitarian aid, $91 million of which would be sent to Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon."China and Arab countries, in pursuit of modernization, must create synergy to bring out progress strategies," Xi said, noting a separate $151 million would be pledged for aid projects.Xi also underlined that Beijing sought to increase cooperation in fields such as renewable energy sources and hydrocarbon. "China wants to join Arab countries with the aim of supporting joint development, being a supporter of peace and stability and advocating equality and justice," he said.*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara
China to increase influence in Middle East: Experts
"I love you so much," his widow, Valeepoan Kunan, wrote in the caption to a black-and-white photograph of her husband she posted on her Instagram account.
"I miss you," she added. "I love you like you are my very heart...from now on when I wake up...who will I kiss?"
The world should remember Samarn, the head of the rescue mission told a news conference at the end of the 17-day operation.
"Samarn Kunan is the real hero," Narongsak Osottanakorn said. "On the day that he passed, the entire team was sad, but we used this sorrow. We saw that he gave his life for this cause."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.The matters pertaining to situation in Syria and Iran's military presence there were discussed in the meeting, the Kremlin said in a statement."Of course, our focus is what is happening in Syria, the presence of Iran. This is not a new thing for you. A few hours ago, an unmanned vehicle penetrated from Syria to Israel was successfully shot down. I would like to stress that we will be very strict in suppressing any attempts to violate our air and land border,” Netanyahu said.Earlier, Israeli air defenses claimed to have intercepted a drone launched from Syrian territory. The drone was said to have been downed by a Patriot missile."Cooperation between us is the most important factor that can stabilize the entire region", he added.For his part, Putin reassured Netanyahu that Russia was aware of Israeli concerns on this point and offered to discuss it in detail.
Putin, Netanyahu meet in Moscow
A day earlier Valeepoan posted a picture of her hand clasping that of her husband.
People from around the world have offered condolences and commented on Valeepoan's social media accounts.
"Our hearts go out to you and your family at this difficult time," read one comment. "Your husband is so brave. The world will not forget his kindness and all he did to save those boys."
A Thai artist has promised to create a statue of Samarn to be erected in Chiang Rai province, where the Tham Luang cave is situated.
Samarn, an emergency rescue worker at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after he left the SEALs in 2006, joined the cave rescue operation on July 1.
British divers found the 13 young men huddled on a muddy ledge in a partly flooded chamber inside the cave. Samarn died on July 6 after losing consciousness during a mission to place oxygen tanks deep inside the cave, just two days before the first group of four boys was brought out.
During the rescue, some Thais said on social media that the soccer team had been reckless in entering the cave during the rainy season. But Valeepoan absolved them of responsibility.
"I want to tell the boys, please don't blame yourselves," Valeepoan told reporters.