United Nations, 21 Dec (Xinhua) -- Sun Zhiqiang, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said at a Security Council open meeting on Syria political and humanitarian issues on 21 December that the top priority at the moment is to stop all illegal military operations in Syria and end the illegal military presence in Syria.
Sun Zhiqiang said that the current surrounding environment of Syria continues to change, and the risk of spillover from the Palestinian-Israeli situation continues to accumulate, which has a complex impact on the Syrian situation. Recently, China is deeply concerned about the frequent airstrikes on a number of locations in Syria, including Damascus airport. China calls on all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, refrain from any actions that may exacerbate tensions, and make every effort to reduce regional security risks. The international community, especially the major countries, should play a constructive role in preventing the spread of conflicts.
Sun Zhiqiang said that a political solution is the fundamental way out of the Syrian issue. China supports the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, and calls on all parties in Syria to strengthen dialogue and make substantive progress in the work of the Constitutional Council. China welcomes the extensive contacts with all parties on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 with the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria, and looks forward to the strengthening of coordination among Arab countries to provide support for the political settlement of the Syrian issue.
Sun Zhiqiang said that the anti-terrorism situation in Syria is still complex and severe. China supports Syria in taking necessary measures to combat terrorism and maintain stability, and to strengthen counter-terrorism capacity-building. The international community must combat terrorism in all its forms with zero tolerance.
Sun Zhiqiang said that China has always supported the United Nations and Syria in maintaining positive interactions, and on the basis of fully respecting Syria's sovereignty and Syria's dominance, and implementing new cross-border humanitarian relief arrangements. In recent years, the level of UN humanitarian funding for Syria has continued to decline, and China has repeatedly expressed concern about this. Relevant donors should deliver on their commitments to effectively meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. Unilateral sanctions and resource grabbing have long hindered Syria's economic and social recovery and exacerbated the humanitarian challenges facing Syria. China urges the immediate and unconditional cessation of the illegal actions in question. (ENDS).