China on Tuesday said it is open to any political settlement plan that is widely accepted by Syrian parties.

At a daily press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, "China respects the Syrian people's choice and takes a positive and open attitude about any political settlement plan widely accepted by Syrian parties."

Hua's comments came as Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa said neither governmental army nor opposition forces could secure a definitive victory. Al-Sharaa called for a negotiated political settlement to the crisis.

"China has always maintained force will never solve the Syrian issue. The only solution is political settlement," Hua said.

She urged Syrian parties to seek a cease-fire and stop the violence.

Hua called on the parties to start from the basis of the Action Group Geneva Communique, launch talks as soon as possible and negotiate and formulate a political transition roadmap.

Hua also urged parties to establish a transitional administration body that is widely representative, implement political transition and end the Syrian crisis as quickly as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2012)