TEHRAN- China’s Special Envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan underlined his country’s strong opposition to plans to disintegrate Syria, stressing the need for all states to fight against terrorist groups, According to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
“China is opposed to any form of disintegration of Syria and we believe that the country’s integrity should be maintained and different countries should fight against terrorists,” Xie said in a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader’s top aide for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati in Tehran on Saturday.
Warning that certain countries’ interference can exacerbate the crisis, he said such meddling “has led to the reinvigoration of the terrorists in Syria and the spread of their presence to other areas”.
Xie noted that he plans to discuss bilateral, regional, international and Syrian issues with Iranian officials during his trip, and said, “Iran and China enjoy common positions not only on Syria but also on other regional and international issues.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao in Bangkok in October underlined the need for Beijing to play a more active and significant role in Syria and Yemen.
During the meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit, President Rouhani stressed Iran and China’s common views on different regional and international issues, and said, “China can play an important role in restoring peace and stability in the region, specially humanitarian aid to the oppressed regional people, including in Yemen and Syria.”
Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the turmoil in Syria has brought a lot of suffering to its people and grave challenges to regional and world peace.
“China’s position on the Syrian issue has been consistent,” Xi said, adding that “Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be protected and respected, and its future decided by its own people.”
“A political solution offers the only way out,” the Chinese president underlined.
H.M