Chinese national Fan Jinghui was beheaded by Islamic State terrorists in November. Of the less than 10 Chinese citizens being kidnapped overseas for ransom, this one ended in the most appalling of crimes.

The question is: What can China do apart from strongly condemning such incidents?

An easy answer, as many Chinese netizens have said, is to follow the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom to conduct air strikes on the IS group's strongholds. Technically speaking, China's Su-30, JH-7, H-6k or drones could carry out such air strikes. But to do that, China needs bases overseas, which it doesn't have. And the only Chinese aircraft carrier is still undergoing trial.