China calls for diplomatic solution to Syrian crisis

PARIS - A political settlement is the only way out of the Syrian crisis, and efforts must be made at the Syrian domestic, regional and international levels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Wednesday.

Speaking to Xinhua in his visit to France, Wang said China is willing to continue to play a positive and constructive role in the process, and would make efforts to facilitate a second international conference on Syria in Geneva, and the full implementation of the Geneva Communique.

Work on finding a political solution for the Syrian crisis and destroying the chemical weapons in the country should also be carried out in parallel, he said, pledging Chinese support during the process.

The Chinese Foreign Minister called on parties concerned in Syria to settle differences through dialogues and negotiations.

He urged the parties to cooperate with and support the mediating efforts by UN Secretary-General and UN-Arab League joint special envoy, participate in the Geneva II conference without any preconditions in order to strike a deal on the political transition process.

He also called on relevant countries and regions to use their unique influences to send a concerted signal on the convening of the Geneva II conference and the full implementation of the Geneva Communique.

The Chinese Foreign Minister called on the international community to stick to principles of the UN charter and basic norms of international relations, respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, as well as the will and choice of the Syrian people, saying that the future of Syria should be determined only by its own people.

Noting the positive progress made in the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, Wang said Chinese experts have taken part in relevant work and that the Chinese side is willing to provide financial support in this regard.