Chinese envoy stresses 'confidence' for pushing forward Syrian peace talks

GENEVA -- China's special envoy for the Syrian issue Xie Xiaoyan on Monday met with Staffan De Mistura, the United Nation's special envoy for Syria, stressing that the participants of the current peace talks should not lose their confidence no matter how big the differences are.

Describing his meeting with De Mistura as "useful and in-depth," Xie said he gained a lot of information of the current situation on the Syrian issue, and shared China's position with the UN Envoy.

"Our emphasis is that no matter how difficult, the participants of the peace talks should not lose their confidence. We should stick to the right direction. Only through these peace talks can we have hope to find a solution to the crisis," he told reporters after the meeting.

Xie, who is on his first trip abroad after being appointed as the Chinese envoy, said all parties should pay attention to humanitarian relief, adding that China has in the past provided some 680 million yuan (about $104.97 million) in aid, and has committed to continue to make contributions in this regard.

"As for the composition of the transitional government or future elections, we consider these as domestic issues of Syria and should be decided by its people," he said.

He said China's appointment of a special envoy on the Syrian issue reflects its will to promote peace talks, more actively contribute proposals, and more effectively strengthen communication and coordination with relevant parties.

"It is also the concrete embodiment of the increased efforts on advancing peace of the international community under the current situation, which will inject positive energy to the political settlement of the Syrian issue," he noted.

Xie praised efforts by the UN and the UN Special Envoy to bring the sides back to negotiations, adding the UN should continue playing a leading role in pushing forward such peace talks.

A former ambassador to Iran and Ethiopia as well as representative to the African Union, Xie was appointed to the post at the end of last month.

During his visit here in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday, the Chinese envoy is also scheduled to meet with representatives from the Syrian government and the main opposition delegations, as well as diplomats from the United States, Britain, France and the Cairo Group.

He will then fly to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia for more discussions.