China backs Russian plan to end crisis over Syria weapons

Beijing: Backing a Russian initiative to resolve the crisis over Syria’s chemical weapons, China today suggested a second international conference to debate the issue at an early date. Asked to comment on the US and Russian foreign ministers’ meeting in Geneva on the implementation of Moscow’s proposal to bring Syrian chemical weapons under international controls, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lie said here today that China supports reaching a consensus on the implementation of the initiative through consultation. [caption id=“attachment_1104941” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chemical attack aftermath in Syria. AP image[/caption] Hong welcomed Russia’s proposal and praised it as “providing an important chance” to relieve the current tension, reiterating China’s position on the use of chemical weapons and a political solution on Syria. “Important opportunities have emerged on easing tension in Syria. We hope all parties can grasp the opportunities, make a positive and rational response,” he said, reacting to French government’s comments that it has kept open the military option to act in Syria if a diplomatic solution fails. Hong again urged for a solution on Syria through political and diplomatic means to preserve peace and stability in the country and the region. He called for an end to the war and violence to ensure the human rights of the Syrian people, after the UN Human Rights Council concluded in a report that the Syrian government and the opposition both had committed human rights violations and war crimes. “The imperative is to urge all parties to cease fire and stop the violence, convene the second international meeting on Syria in Geneva as soon as possible and settle their disagreements through dialogue and negotiation,” Hong said. The International Commission of Inquiry, set up by the UN Human Rights Council, said yesterday in a report on Syria that the Syrian government and pro-government forces have continued to conduct widespread attacks on the civilian population, committing murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearances, termed as as crimes against humanity. “The Syrian people’s human rights can only be guaranteed by realising their national security and stability first,” Hong said. “We have no further information,” Hong said when asked about the latest developments of yesterday’s meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council. China supports the UN Security Council’s role on issues of world peace and security and is willing to keep in contact with all members of the Council, he said. Diplomatic sources said the Security Council meeting to discuss Syria’s chemical weapons produced no deal, with Russia blocking the move to mount pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. PTI