Yang Jiechi Holds Telephone Conversation with U.N.-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi

2012/08/31

On the evening of August 31, 2012, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held a telephone conversation with U.N.-Arab League special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi.

Yang said China welcomes Brahimi to serve as U.N.-Arab League special envoy to Syria and expects him to play an active role in seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis. China is ready to keep in contact with Brahimi in this regard.

China was deeply concerned about the worsening situation in Syria and paid high attention to the humanitarian conditions in the Middle East country, Yang said. A political dialogue was the only and right way to solve the prolonged Syrian crisis, said Yang. The international community should stick to the principle of a political solution to the crisis, he said. The foreign minister urged all parties involved in the crisis to fully implement relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, Annan's six-point peace plan and the Geneva communique of the Action Group to achieve ceasefire, stop violence and start an inclusive political dialogue as soon as possible. He called for respect of Syria's sovereignty and the choice of the Syrian people. The outside world can't impose solutions, nor carry out military intervention, he added.

Yang briefed on China's recent communication efforts with all parties concerned in Syria, stressing that China has consistently upheld an objective and impartial position. Our goal is to safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms of international relations, maintain peace and stability in Syria and the Middle East and protect the fundamental and long-term interests of the Syrian people and Arab countries, he noted. China would continue to work with the international community to push for a solution to the Syrian crisis, he said.

Brahimi introduced his views on the situation in Syria and relevant proposals. He said he attached great importance to China's position and role in solving the Syrian crisis, adding he was willing to keep in touch with China on the issue.