CHINA: China says a Syrian opposition delegation has visited the country this week and calls on Syria to launch an inclusive political process and peacefully resolve the crisis

Record ID: 280585

  • Title: CHINA: China says a Syrian opposition delegation has visited the country this week and calls on Syria to launch an inclusive political process and peacefully resolve the crisis
  • Date: 10th February 2012
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (FEBRUARY 9, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN LIU WEIMIN WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN LIU WEIMIN SAYING: "China is in contacts and communication with all the relevant parties in Syria, incl
  • Embargoed: 25th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China, China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABN2N8VPXDLOIMBR8RLCL7FSLQ
  • Story Text: China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday (February 9) that a Syrian opposition delegation had visited the country this week and met Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun.
    It was the first contact reported by China in the wake of escalating violence in Syria and Beijing's veto in the U.N. of a draft resolution on the country.
    China joined Russia at the weekend to veto the resolution in the Security Council that would have backed an Arab plan urging President Bashar al-Assad to quit after months of worsening bloodshed.
    The veto has been heavily condemned by Western governments.
    "China is in contacts and communication with all the relevant parties in Syria, including the opposition groups. We are willing to actively push for peace and dialogue. We have done a lot of work to alleviate the situation in Syria. China is willing to maintain contacts and communication with relevant Syrian groups and make persisting efforts to peacefully and properly resolve the Syria crisis in the future," ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a daily news briefing.
    Liu then repeated China's call for reforms in Syria and a peaceful solution to the crisis in the violence-torn country.
    "The reasonable aspiration for reform and their own interests should be respected. The Syrian government should fulfil their commitment to reform, start an inclusive political process that involves all the relevant parties as soon as possible, and resolve problems and disputes through dialogue and negotiation," said Liu.
    Beijing has rejected criticism of its veto of the resolution, insisting that it was committed to the long-term interests of the Syrian people.
    Earlier this week, the Chinese government said it was considering sending an envoy to the Middle East to discuss the crisis in Syria.
    Opposition sources in Syria on Thursday said that armoured reinforcements were pouring into Homs as President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded the city for a fourth day, worsening the humanitarian situation and prompting a new diplomatic push from Turkey.
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