China stresses political solution to Syria crisis

MONTREUX, Switzerland, Jan. 21 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday reiterated China's stance for a political settlement of the Syrian issue, calling for continued political efforts to keep the negotiations going.

Wang made the remarks while discussing with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov Tuesday night about the peace talks on Syria, known as the Geneva II conference.

The peace conference was initiated by Washington and Moscow in May and will start Wednesday in the Swiss city of Montreux to seek the establishment of a transitional governing body in Syria to lead the country out of a protracted conflict that broke out in March 2011.

China hoped that the negotiations were not just launched, but, more importantly, pushed forward, Wang said, adding that his country put forward on Monday five principles for a political settlement of the Syrian issue.

Both delegations of the Syrian government and opposition arrived in Geneva, Switzerland Tuesday evening for the conference so as to embark on a dialogue for the first time since the eruption of their conflict.

Wang said the most pressing task now was to realize a cease-fire and stop violence as soon as possible.

The Chinese foreign minister also stressed the importance of reaching consensus on a framework for peace talks and establish a follow-up mechanism so as to keep the dialogue, negotiations and other political efforts going forward.

Lavrov said that the situation in Syria was very complicated, and the only way out of the crisis was to nudge the Syrian government and the opposition to come to the negotiating table, and reach some consensus on their country's future.

Lavrov reiterated that Russia and China shared the same stance on a political solution to the Syria conflict, calling on the two sides to continue their close communication.