China on Tuesday voiced its firm opposition to the use of force to resolve the Syrian issue, the practice to forcefully push for the "regime change" and other actions which violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms guiding the international relations.

Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement as he was taking the floor at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the current situation of Syria.

"We firmly oppose the use of force to resolve the Syrian issue, firmly oppose the practice such as pushing through the 'regime change', which violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing the international relations, " Li said.

"China has all along taken a cautious approach to sanctions," Li said. "Sanctions, which rather than help resolve the issue, often lead to further complication of the situation."

China supports a draft resolution proposed by Russia on the issue of Syria, Li said, adding that he also took note of a new draft circulated by Morocco on Friday in the Security Council.

"China is ready to act in accordance with the above principled stance, and engage in an active and constructive way in consultations and work with all the parties concerned to promote the proper settlement of the Syrian issue through political dialogue," Li said.

Arab states and Western countries are pushing for the adoption of their joint draft resolution at the Security Council to demand what they called "political transition" in Syria while a Russian- drafted text called on all the parties in Syria to put an immediate end to violence and resolve the Syrian crisis with a Syrian-led political process.

"China has reiterated that the actions of the Security Council on the Syrian issue should comply with the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations, and help ease the tensions in Syria, help promote political dialogue and defuse disputes, and help maintain peace and stability in the Middle East region," he said.

"China is of the view that the Syrian people's request for reform and safeguard of their interests should be respected," Li said. "It is imperative to put an immediate end to all violence in Syria and oppose and stop the killing of innocent civilians."

"At the same time, an inclusive political process with a wide participation of all Syrian parties must be started without delay to speed up reform and resolve differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultations, so as to restore stability to Syria and enable it to embark on a path of all-round development, he said.

"Syria is an important country in the Middle East," he said. " Its stability concerns the security and stability of the entire Middle East region. Like other members of the Security Council, China has followed closely the changes of the situation in Syria."

"We believe that Syria and its people are able and resourceful enough to find the way to resolving the issue, and find a political system and mode of economic growth suited to Syria's national conditions," Li said. "The international community may play a positive and constructive role in this regard, and provide assistance for the peaceful and political settlement of the Syrian issue through dialogue."

"Syria is a member of the Arab world," he said. "China hopes to see a proper settlement of the Syrian crisis within the framework of the Arab League."

"We support the efforts made by the Arab League to seek political solution of the Syrian issue, and maintain stability in the region," he said. "We hope to see success of the mediation efforts by the Arab League."

The Arab League observer mission plays a significant role in helping the international community learn about the real situation in Syria, he said. "We attach importance to the reports submitted by the Arab League observer mission."

"We also hope that the Arab League observer mission will continue to fulfill its mandate and carry out objective and impartial investigations," he said. "We call on the Syrian government and other parties concerned to have full cooperation with the mission in this regard."

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2012)