Syrian opposition leader to start 4-day Beijing visit

A Syrian opposition leader will begin a four-day visit to China on Tuesday, in Beijing's latest effort to push forward talks between the Syrian government and opposition.

Though China has long been making efforts to promote talks between the parties in Syria, it apparently is the first time that Beijing has announced in advance a visit by a Syrian opposition leader.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Alptekin Hocaoglu, president of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, during the opposition leader's stay, ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily media briefing on Monday.