On April 12, 2018, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao met with President of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and Minister of State for National Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar of Syria.

Wang Chao expressed that China pays high attention to the Syrian issue. China firmly opposes the use of chemical weapons, and believes that a comprehensive, fair and objective investigation on the suspected use of chemical weapons should be carried out to reach a reliable conclusion that can stand the test of history. Before that, any party should not make a prejudgment and jump to an arbitrary conclusion. China has all along opposed the willful use or threat of use of force in international relations. At present, the international community should strengthen communication and coordination, control risks and avoid actions that could complicate the situation and escalate and enlarge the scale of the conflict.

Wang Chao expressed that addressing the Syrian issue via military means will lead to nowhere while political settlement is the only practical way out. The international community should respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria as well as insist that the Syrian people make independent decisions about the future of their country. All relevant parties should support the United Nations’ role as the main channel for mediation and find a solution that meets the realities in Syria and accommodates each party's concerns through inclusive political dialogues.

Ali Haidar appreciated China’s fair and balanced stance on the Syrian issue, spoke highly of China’s consistent respect for Syria’s sovereignty and independence and its principle of non-interference in Syria’s domestic affairs as well as expected China to play a greater role in the political settlement of the Syrian issue and reconstruction of Syria.

At the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ali Haidar led a delegation of the Syrian opposition to visit China from April 11.