Beijing's Middle East policy justified

China, together with Russia, vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Feb 4 , which urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down after months of riots, because it seeks a political and peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis.

China's veto drew worldwide attention, with Western politicians and media taking the lead in criticizing its move. For example, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague accused China and Russia of "betraying the Syrian people" by vetoing a UN resolution condemning the violence. "In deploying them, they have let down the Arab League, they have increased the likelihood of what they wish to avoid in Syria, civil war, and they have placed themselves on the wrong side of Arab and international opinion," he said.

China is a large but responsible country with an independent foreign policy, which means it cannot follow the United States and its Western allies. China's peaceful foreign policy is aimed at building a harmonious world, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and resolving conflicts and clashes between countries through negotiations. Its foreign policy initiatives are unfolding on the basis of the same principles, and its stance on Syria is no exception.