China appoints special envoy for Syria to better promote dialogue

China has appointed a special envoy for Syria to better promote the intra-Syrian dialogue and communicate with the concerned parties to facilitate a proper solution to the crisis.

Xie Xiaoyan, former Ambassador to Iran and Ethiopia as well as representative to the African Union, has been appointed to the post, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Xie, with a rich understanding of Middle East affairs, will fulfill his mission,” Hong said.

Hong reiterated that a political settlement is the only way out of the crisis in Syria, pointing out that China supports the dialogue process in Geneva which is taking place under the UN supervision through its special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

The spokesperson said that the political settlement to the crisis in Syria reached an important stage where the cessation of hostilities agreement was applied generally and the humanitarian aid delivered consistently as well as the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Geneva between the government and the opposition was resumed.

Hong stressed that China has played a constructive role in addressing the crisis in Syria. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China advocates political settlement as the only solution, supports the UN’s leading role and has provided humanitarian aid to Syria.
 [sana.sy]
29/3/16