China urges to defuse Syrian crisis through political means
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BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wednesday said Chinese side believed that the crisis in Syria could only be defused through political means.
"We hope that that all relevant parties of the international community will enhance communication and show their good faith at the talks so as to build up mutual trust, lay the groundwork for substantive progress in future Geneva peace talks, and drive forward the process of politically resolving the Syrian issue," Geng Shuang remarked during a regular press briefing held here.
Responding to a question about China's expectation for the meeting on Syria being held in Astana, he said, serving as a useful complement to the Geneva peace talks, the Astana talks aimed at providing guarantee for the ceasefire in Syria.
Commenting on current situation on the Korean Peninsula, he remarked that it was highly delicate and complex.
"The Chinese side is opposed to actions or remarks by any party that may inflame the situation and jeopardize regional peace and stability. What is imperative is to cool down the situation and restart dialogue and consultation," he added.
The spokesperson once again urged all relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, stop provoking each other, strive to create the atmosphere for contact and dialogue and return to the right track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date.
He rejected the news reports that Chinese Embassy in North Korea advised the Chinese citizens to leave the country, adding, China and the North Korea are close neighbors with normal people-to-people exchanges.
There were Chinese citizens entering and exiting the North Korea every day, and that is quite normal, he added.
About a question regarding the issue of the South China Sea, he commented that the issue of the South China Sea was an issue between China and some of the ASEAN countries, rather than between China and the entire ASEAN or between China and the US, still less between the US and ASEAN.
"Working together, China and ASEAN countries have stabilized and improved the situation in the South China Sea. All parties should cherish and preserve this hard-won result," he added.
He said Chinese side also hoped that relevant countries outside the region would respect joint efforts by countries within the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
To another question, he said the Chinese government opposed all forms of illegal fishing and required Chinese-funded fishing companies to conduct business in accordance with laws and regulations and protect marine environment.
"We also hope that relevant countries will enforce the law properly, deal with the matter according to the law and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens involved," he added. (APP)
