China hopes Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, and is ready to play a constructive role to that end, a Chinese envoy said on Tuesday.
Recently, the situation in Syria has undergone drastic changes, to which China pays great attention, Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said in his remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Syria.
Geng reiterated that China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, not interfering in Syria's internal affairs, and respecting the choice of the Syrian people.
Voicing his sincere expectation that Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, Geng said China is "ready to play a constructive role to that end."
Geng also expressed "grave concerns" over Israel's recent continued airstrikes against Syria and its entry into the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights where it claimed to expand settlements, calling on Israel to stop these actions.
He said that the long-term solution is to promote a political settlement, noting that China supports Syria in implementing Security Council Resolution 2254, advancing its domestic political process in line with the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle, and finding a national reconstruction plan through inclusive dialogue.
The will of the Syrian people should be respected to avoid national division and fragmentation of the domestic situation, the ambassador stressed, adding that China supports the active mediation role of the UN and Special Envoy Geir Pedersen's work in facilitating dialogue between all parties.
Furthermore, Geng highlighted that the clear bottom line is the fight against terrorism, urging Syria to stand firm against any form of terrorism and extremist forces.
"The Syrian territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten the security of other countries. Countries have an obligation to combat all terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council, including groups like the 'East Turkestan Islamic Movement' and the 'Turkistan Islamic Party.' The international community should learn from the lessons and avoid applying double standards or engaging in selective use when it comes to counter-terrorism efforts," said Geng.
As the drastic changes in Syria have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis across the country, Geng called on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and facilitate the humanitarian operations of UN agencies, urging the relevant country to lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria immediately.
Geng reiterated that as a strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China is willing to work with the international community to continue to make unremitting efforts to promote the realization of long-term stability in Syria and the restoration of peace and tranquility in the Middle East region.
At the meeting, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, speaking from Damascus via video link, briefed on the situation in Syria, saying it continues to face challenges, particularly with recent advancements by the Israeli military into Syrian territory, posing greater risks to Syrian civilians.
Also briefing the meeting via video link from Damascus, Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and infrastructure, increase support to address funding shortages, and ensure that humanitarian actions are not hindered by sanctions and counter-terrorism measures.
China ready to help Syria restore peace, stability: Chinese envoy
