(Photograph by Shen Hong/Xinhua News Agency)

 

The Security Council just held consultations on the Syrian issue and heard the briefing made by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan on his mediation efforts. Mr. Annan highly commended China's position on the Syrian issue, and valued the constructive role played by China in addressing the Syrian issue. During the meeting, Mr. Annan also expressed his hope to visit China at an early date.

China supports Mr. Annan's mediation efforts to bring about a political solution to the Syrian crisis. We support his recent visit to Syria. It was a very important visit. We attach great importance to and welcome his proposals on political settlement of the Syrian issue.

China calls on the international community to support Mr. Annan's diplomatic mediation, and create conditions for his mediation efforts. China hopes that all the relevant parties in Syria will cooperate closely with and support Mr. Annan's mediation, put an immediate end to violence, show political will and flexibility, and launch the political process as soon as possible.