Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday met with Bouthaina Shaaban, the Syrian president's special envoy and political and media advisor, on the current situation in Syria.

During the meeting, Yang said China is deeply concerned about the situation in Syria, which has become more and more severe recently.

China urges the Syrian government and parties concerned to implement UN Security Council resolutions, Annan's six-point proposal and the Geneva communique agreed by the Action Group meeting of major world powers on June 30, immediately cease fire, stop violence and launch political dialogue, the foreign minister said.

He said China calls on the Syrian government and the opposition to start dialogue at an early date, initiate and push forward a political process led by the Syrian people so as to bring the nation out of its difficulties.

The international community and other parties involved need to play a positive role on the issue, according to Yang. The Syrian government must take substantial measures to meet the reasonable needs of the Syrian people to seek reform and safeguard their own interests, he added.

China hopes the Syrian government and the opposition coordinate with the international mediation efforts, Yang said.

He also briefed Shaaban on contact between China and the opposition groups in Syria and those dialogues' mediation efforts, as well as China's humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees.

Shaaban introduced the current situation in Syria. She said Syria's government will coordinate with international mediation efforts, and is ready to work with relevant parties to seek ways to make the government forces and the opposition forces stop violence at the same time.

She said the Syrian government is willing to launch an inclusive dialogue with the opposition so as to promote a Syria-led political process and restore security and stability in the country.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also met with Shaaban on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2012)