Chinese citizens in Syria advised to take greater safety precautions

Chinese citizens in Syria have been advised to take greater safety precautions in regard to current situations in the country, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, in response to a media query on whether China considers evacuating citizens in Syria.

"We have noticed changes in Syria's security situation. The Embassy of China in Syria has issued safety warnings and has been closely following the local situations. It has also requested the local government to take effective measures to guarantee the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country," said Lin.

"Here we'd also remind Chinese citizens in Syria to take greater safety precautions and evacuate or transfer to safer regions as soon as possible. In case of emergencies, please promptly contact the Chinese Embassy for help," he said.

Chinese citizens in Syria advised to take greater safety precautions

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday, calling for global efforts to restore land and boost drought resilience.

Running until Dec 13 under the theme of "Our Land, Our Future," this event marks a milestone as the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD conference to take place in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Chinese delegation is set to participate in the discussions, presenting its achievements and experiences in desertification combat through a dedicated exhibition at the China Pavilion. This platform will share China's innovative approaches and successful practices in combating land degradation.

COP16 to UN desertification convention opens in Riyadh