FM offers help for crisis in Syria

Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets on Monday with Bouthania Shaaban, the Syrian president's adviser for political and media affairs. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for greater efforts in tackling the current humanitarian crisis in Syria, saying China will continue to offer help.

Wang made the remarks when meeting on Monday with Bouthania Shaaban, political and media adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who briefed him on the situation in Syria and explained the Syrian government's stance.

Wang said the flow of refugees in the Middle East has seriously endangered the stability of the region and its surrounding areas, which need more efforts from all parties, including China, to lessen the impact.

The foreign minister reiterated China's stance on solving the Syrian crisis via political settlement led by the United Nations, referring to it as the "fundamental way out".He said China welcomes all parties to initiate another round of political mediation.

Wang proposed that all concerned parties take part in a third Geneva conference on Syria, to ensure full representation and inclusiveness.

On combating terrorism, Wang said China supports anti-terrorism moves that abide with international laws, with agreement from the country concerned. He called for joint efforts in fighting terrorism with better communication and cooperation among all parties.

Dong Manyuan, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said he believes Wang's three-point political analysis has cut to the core of the solution to the Syrian issue.

"If the international community acts as Wang suggested, there is a high chance that this crisis in Syria will be properly handled and even resolved," Dong said.

China is among the first to promote a political settlement to the Syrian crisis, and has been a "strong pusher" that actively and constantly contributes to this goal despite challenges, Dong said.

"China's clear stance and proposition on the Syrian issue has demonstrated China's willingness and resolution to assume responsibility as a big nation in the new diplomacy," he added. "China cares about foreign issues that may influence international peace and stability, and is willing to work on them."

Shaaban said Syria welcomes all efforts to solve its current crisis via political settlement and appreciates China's stance on this matter. She expressed her willingness to see more positive and important contributions from China.

In 2012, Shaaban came to Beijing as the Syrian president's special envoy to talk with then-foreign minister Yang Jiechi and exchanged views on how to settle the ongoing crisis.

chenmengwei@chinadaily.com.cn