China to invite Syrian govt, opposition for peace talks

Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to members of the Security Council at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, Dec 18, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will invite members of the Syrian government and opposition to visit as Beijing looks for ways to help with the peace process, Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the third foreign ministers' meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in New York that the Chinese side would like to invite representatives of the Syrian government and relevant opposition forces to China as part of China's constructive efforts to promote peace talks and the political settlement of the Syrian issue, " said Hong Lei, Foreign Ministry spokesman, at the regular press conference.

He added, "relevant information will be released in due course".

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a resolution endorsing an international road map for a Syrian peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives.

"The resolution embodies the broad consensus of the international community, and demonstrates the important role of the Security Council, " Wang Yi said in remarks after the resolution was passed last Friday.

"For five years, the international effort to seek a political settlement has been relentless. This on and off political process has its ups and downs. We need to build on successful experience, learn lessons and press ahead with the political process firmly and steadily so that it can be put an irreversible path," he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei briefs at the regular press conference in Beijing on Dec 21, 2015. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

The resolution was passed 15-0 and calls for elections to be held in Syria within the next 18 months and lays out the political groundwork needed to end the civil war.

Diplomats convened in New York this week for the third meeting of the so-called International Syria Support Group, which previously met twice in Vienna and had endorsed a roadmap for achieving peace in Syria: a cease-fire by January, discussions between Syria and opposition parties mediated by the UN, and then elections in Syria in 18 months.

Foreign Minister calls for balanced Syria talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Dec 18 called for representative, balanced and inclusive Syria talks while attending the third ministerial-level meeting of the International Support Group for Syria in New York.

All the opposition groups that support a political settlement and do not engage in extreme, terrorist activities should have the opportunity to participate in future Syria peace talks, Wang said. [Full story]