China welcomes the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Government and the opposition, and appreciates the positive result achieved by the Russian Federation and Turkey in facilitating its conclusion. China welcomes the fact that the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2336 (2016). This reflects the support of the United Nations and the international community for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Syrian Arab Republic and a political settlement of the Syrian issue. The resolution is conducive to the strengthening of mutual trust among the conflicting parties, the advancement of the political process, the easing of the humanitarian situation in the country and the efforts to combat terrorism. China hopes that the Syrian Government and the opposition groups concerned will effectively and comprehensively implement the ceasefire agreement and calls on other opposition groups to join the ceasefire arrangement as soon as possible.

The political solution is the only way out for Syrian issue. The international community should seize the current favorable opportunity and work on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria to create conditions for relaunching the political process in the country as soon as possible. China hopes that the United Nations and the international community will work towards the comprehensive implementation of the 2012 Geneva communiqué (S/2012/522, annex) and resolutions 2254 (2015) and 2268 (2016).

Special Envoy De Mistura has announced the relaunching of Geneva talks in February 2017. We hope that the peace talks will promote the political process in Syria with a view to achieving positive results at an early date. China hopes that the Astana meeting, as an important part of the Syrian-led political process and an important step ahead of the resumption of the Intra-Syrian talks will play a positive role in advancing the political settlement of the Syrian issue. China calls on the Syrian parties to cherish this hard-won achievement, set as their priorities the fundamental interests of their nation and the security of their people, come back to the track of dialogue and consultations, and work under the principle of Syrian-owned and Syria-led processes so as to reach a political settlement acceptable to all.

China has taken active part in promoting the political process in Syria and is willing to continue to work with the rest of the international community for a comprehensive, fair and appropriate settlement of the Syrian issue.