Beijing remains impartial on Syria issue: FM

BEIJING / DAMASCUS - China will not take sides on the Syria issue, and will uphold justice and take a responsible attitude, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday.

"China is highly concerned about the development of the situation in Syria, and we have always urged the various parties in Syria to cease violence and avoid casualties among innocent civilians," Liu said at a regular news briefing.

The vote on the United Nations resolution was forced despite the serious differences among various parties, he said, emphasizing that such practices do not help maintain the unity and authority of the UN Security Council, nor are they conducive to the proper resolution of the issue.