Chinese state media have accused US President Barack Obama of planning to use Syria's chemical weapons as an excuse for intervening militarily.
The state news agency, Xinhua, was responding to a warning from Mr Obama that Syria would be crossing a "red line" if it tried to use such weapons.
"Once again, Western powers are digging deep for excuses to intervene militarily," it said.
China and Russia have blocked attempts to impose UN sanctions on Syria.
Xinhua's commentary is not an official statement but it reflects fears among China's communist leaders that the West wants regime change in Syria under the guise of humanitarian action, the BBC's Damian Grammaticas reports from Beijing.
In Syria on Wednesday, government military operations intensified in the capital, Damascus, and in the second city, Aleppo, activists said.
Opposition activists say more than 20,000 people - mostly civilians - have died since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad began last year.
The state news agency, Xinhua, was responding to a warning from Mr Obama that Syria would be crossing a "red line" if it tried to use such weapons.
"Once again, Western powers are digging deep for excuses to intervene militarily," it said.
China and Russia have blocked attempts to impose UN sanctions on Syria.
Xinhua's commentary is not an official statement but it reflects fears among China's communist leaders that the West wants regime change in Syria under the guise of humanitarian action, the BBC's Damian Grammaticas reports from Beijing.
In Syria on Wednesday, government military operations intensified in the capital, Damascus, and in the second city, Aleppo, activists said.
Opposition activists say more than 20,000 people - mostly civilians - have died since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad began last year.

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