Syria and China have reiterated their commitments to a political solution to the Syrian conflict, ahead of a key international meeting planned for the end of January.
This follows a meeting in Beijing between Foreign Ministers from the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the talks mainly focused on how to advance a political solution to the Syrian crisis, and three principals have been agreed on.
"The most important consensus we reached is we insist that the Syrian issue should be solved politically, the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people, and the Syrian crisis should be mediated by the United Nations (UN). The three principles should be upheld throughout the whole peace process of Syria."
The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution last Friday, endorsing an international road map for a Syrian peace process, and setting a date in early January for talks between the Syrian government and opposition.
The resolution, aiming to end the nearly five-year long conflict, says a nationwide ceasefire will begin as soon as the parties concerned have taken initial steps towards a political transition.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem says Syria is ready to take part in the talks.
"Syria is ready to participate in the Syrian-Syrian Dialogue in Geneva without any foreign interference and our delegation will be ready as soon as we receive a list of the opposition delegation."
World powers have discussed the Syrian issue three times since October, and in November supported the establishment of a credible, inclusive government in
Syria within six months, with free and fair elections within 18 months.
The Syrian Foreign Minister says his government will adhere to this roadmap if the upcoming talks are successful.
"We hope that this dialogue will be successful to help us in having a national unity government. And this government will compose a constitutional committee to look for a new constitution with a new law of election so the parliamentary election will be held within the period of 18 months, more or less."
Wang Yi says as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China will keep promoting peace and dialogue in Syria and offer humanitarian aid to the country to the best of its abilities.
Wang also speaks highly of Syria"s determination to fight against terrorism.
The international community has been making more and more effort to fight terrorism, which provides Syria a new opportunity to solve its problem politically.
The Syrian minister has made it clear that Syria firmly opposes terrorism, which is welcomed by China. China holds that any efforts willing to combat terrorism should be respected and supported."
China also announced humanitarian assistance for Syria worth 40 million yuan, or around 6 million U.S. dollars. |
