On December 24, 2015, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem of Syria, exchanging all-round and in-depth views with focus on political settlement of the Syrian issue.
Wang Yi said that currently the Syrian issue is at a critical node. The United Nations (UN) Security Council has just adopted the Resolution 2254, specifying the three principles of seeking political settlement, the Syrian people determining Syria's future and fate as well as the UN playing a main mediating role. Such principles constitute the basic consensus of the international community on politically resolving the Syrian issue, injecting new impetus to political settlement of the Syrian issue.
Wang Yi said that the key to implementing the Resolution of the UN Security Council is to take the two steps of peace talks and ceasefire. It is hoped that under the coordination of the UN, the Syrian government and the oppositions will launch negotiation as soon as possible and keep it up by overcoming difficulties that may emerge. Meanwhile, the two sides should promote experience in partial ceasefire and gradually expand ceasefire areas, so as to form benign interactions of negotiation and ceasefire.
Wang Yi said that at present Syria is facing grim and urgent humanitarian situation. The Chinese side hopes that the Syrian side enhances cooperation with the UN and other agencies to handle well relevant work. In order to reflect its concerns about the Syrian people, the Chinese side has decided to offer humanitarian assistance of another 40 million RMB to Syria for its projects improving people's livelihood.
Wang Yi reiterated that being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue its objective and impartial stance to play a constructive role in the process of boosting political settlement of the Syrian issue.
Walid al-Muallem expressed that Syria fully agrees on the three basic principles stated by Foreign Minister Wang Yi to politically resolve the Syrian issue. Syria has made preparations for dialogue with the oppositions under the direction of the UN. Once the opposition list confirmed, Syria will send a delegation to Geneva to participate in the dialogue and peace talks. Syria is willing to continue its cooperation with international organizations to relieve the humanitarian crisis. The Syrian side appreciates the Chinese side for offering new humanitarian assistance, and expects the international community to pay attention to Syria's reconstruction.
Walid al-Muallem said that Syria will never forget China's ever-lasting support for political settlement of the Syrian issue, and hopes that China will play a more active role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.