China's envoy to Syria Li Huaxin has, during his two-day visit, met with officials from the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the country's opposition figures, exchanging views on the current Syrian situation as well as ways to figure out a solution for the ongoing political crisis.

During his stay, Li said that China adheres to an objective and fair stance, and upholds a responsible attitude regarding the Syrian issue.

The Chinese side hopes that the Syrian issue could be settled in a peaceful way through political dialogues, Li noted, adding that Beijing is willing to keep close contact and coordination with the Syrian Government, the various opposition organizations in Syria, as well as other Arab countries and the Arab League (AL), so as to play a positive and constructive role in solving the crisis, together with the efforts of the international community.

Following a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem on Wednesday, Li told reporters that he has conveyed a written letter to Moallem from his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on the current Syrian developments.

On Sunday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a six-point statement for the political resolution on the Syrian issue, calling for ceasing all acts of violence, launching an inclusive political dialogue, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, respecting Syria's sovereignty, welcoming the appointment of the Joint Special Envoy on the Syrian crisis by the UN and the AL, and maintaining that UN Security Council members should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations.

For their part, Moallem and Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Arnous said during Li's visit that they appreciate and are grateful to China's efforts in bringing about an peaceful end to the prolonged Syrian crisis.

They also voiced their country's readiness to cooperate with the United Nations in the humanitarian domain as long as Syria's sovereignty and independence are respected. They also expressed Damascus' will to start dialogues with the opposition as a prelude to form a new Syrian government.

The Syrian opposition parties, which also welcomed the Chinese plan and expressed appreciation of China's efforts towards the Syrian crisis, reiterated their rejection to any foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs, and called for the need to stop all violent acts.

The opposition parties meanwhile expressed hope that China will play a better role in finding out a solution to the Syrian crisis.

The Chinese envoy has met representatives of some opposition organizations in Syria, including the National Coordination Body, the Current for Building the Syrian State, and the Party of Popular Will and Change.

Li arrived in Syria Tuesday for a two-day official visit, after Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun visited the unrest-wrecked country in mid-February during which he urged the Syrian government and various political factions in the country to end all acts of violence against civilians.

(Xinhua  News Agency March 8, 2012)