Considering the most current situation in Syria, the new proposals call for implementing a region-by-region or phase-by-phase ceasefire and establishing a transitional governing body of broad representation.

"China has always played a positive role in the political settlement of the Syrian issue. The new proposal is the continuance of China's previous mediation efforts on the issue," Hua said.

Hua said China was misunderstood and criticized by some countries for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution at the beginning of the year. But in retrospect, more and more countries agree that China made a responsible move. If China hadn't vetoed the resolution, it is possible that Syria would have become a repeat of the disaster in Libya.

China's new proposals are in line with its stance of non-interference in Syria's internal affairs, said Xue. On the issue, China will not take a skewed stance. Instead, it supports ways that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the issue through political approaches.

Though it is difficult to foresee the future of Syria, said Hua, one thing is for sure: There is no way out through wars and violence.

China has always played a positive role in the political settlement of the Syrian issue. The new proposal once again embodies China's fair and balanced stance, Hua added.

Observers claim that the momentum of military interference from outside has been contained at present, while more and more countries have begun to steer Syria back on the road of political resolution. 

"At present, the United States has seemingly abandoned the option of military intervention in Syria while the other supporting countries of the Syrian opposition provide funding alone," Hua said.

"For Brahimi, the current situation is a possible opportunity to promote the political settlement of the Syrian issue," said An, the visiting researcher.

Spillover effects

The ongoing conflict in Syria has brought not only disaster to the Syrian people but also created spillover effects into Syria's neighboring countries. Statistics from the UN shows that there are more than 300,000 Syrian refugees in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey after the crisis broke out in March last year. This weighs heavily on local authorities and communities while risking seriously destabilizing consequences.

Violent clashes between the Sunnis and the Hezbollah within Lebanon are becoming increasingly fierce. Attacks launched by Kurdish militants in Turkey are on the rise. Terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Eastern Turkistan Independence Movement are infiltrating into Syria quickly.

An said the spillover is not in line with the interests of Western countries and these might help adjust their position and bring them back to the path of political resolution. Therefore, Brahimi gets a good opportunity and a much larger space for the mediation of the Syrian crisis.

Still, observers say the joint special envoy would be faced with obstacles from Western countries as well as opposition forces in Syria as they insisted that the stepping down of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be the premise of the political dialogue.

After a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the Syrian crisis on October 31, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius reiterated that there would be no way out as long as Assad is still in power. Recently, U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton declared publicly to reshuffle the leadership of the Syrian opposition, aiming to strengthen their power in confronting the Syrian authorities. Meanwhile, Washington has not given up its policy of Assad's leaving office.

Xue said the Syrian authorities continue to have majority support. Even if the Syrian regime changes, it doesn't mean the entire state apparatus should be replaced.

"The lessons in Iraq could be a mirror for Syria. If Syria follows the pattern of Iraq, it would surely lead to disaster for the Syrian people," Xue said.

After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, the whole state apparatus of the old regime was destroyed including the army, administrative machinery as well as the police, causing a chaotic, long-term struggle and a power vacuum in the country.

"The preconditions set by the West and some regional countries that Assad must step down is the largest obstacle of the political settlement of the crisis," said An.

He added, "It is not in accordance with the principle that the Syrian people get the right to determine the fate of their country. If the West insists on Assad stepping down, the Syrian authorities will not budge. Therefore, the crisis cannot be resolved."