FM urges dialogue in Syria
China and Egypt called on relevant parties to adhere to a political solution to the Syria issue on Wednesday, as escalating violence in the country could have global repercussions.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr called on relevant parties in Syria to immediately end the violent conflict, launch political talks and improve the humanitarian situation, according to a press release from the foreign ministry.
Amr also met with Vice-President Xi Jinping, who told him that China is ready to share experiences in reform and development with Egypt, and is encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Egypt and promote the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, a key project of the Forum on China-African Cooperation unveiled in 2009.
Amr said bilateral economic ties and cooperation could be further strengthened, especially joint ventures in Egypt.
"Opportunities should also be open to Egyptian exports to China," he added.
Bilateral trade volume between China and Egypt in 2011 reached $8.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26 percent, according to Xinhua.
Yang and Amr also called for safeguarding peace and stability in Syria and the Middle East, and promoting an early resolution of the crisis in a fair, peaceful and proper way.
They maintained that the international community should respect the choice of the Syrian people and support mediation efforts made by joint United Nations-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.
France circulated a proposed statement to the UN Security Council on Monday urging the Syrian government to immediately implement proposals by Annan.
China supports Annan's efforts in promoting a political resolution to the Syrian crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a news briefing on Wednesday.
China is ready to work with the international community to reach a political resolution to the Syria issue, Hong said.
The unrest in Syria, which began more than a year ago, has turned into an armed insurgency, pushing the country closer to civil war. The UN estimates that more than 8,000 people have been killed since the uprising began.
The "extremely dangerous" conflict in Syria could have global repercussions, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday, as fresh violence erupted outside the capital and in the south.
"We do not know how events will unfold," Ban said during a speech in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, "but we do know that we all have a responsibility to work for a resolution of this profound and extremely dangerous crisis ... a crisis that has potentially massive repercussions for the region and the world."
After meeting with Yang and Xi, Amr told reporters that both sides agreed a foreign military intervention should not be used to tackle the crisis.
"The only solution is dialogue between the authorities and opposition," he said, adding that any solution should be under the context of the Arab League framework.
Amr also recognized China's constructive role in the region.
"We in Egypt and in the Arab world hold China in a high esteem," he said. "China is always with us and always defending our positions and working with us. That's what we expected from China in this situation."
"Egypt's position has some resemblances to China's and could play a more constructive role in the region," said Pang Zhongying, professor of international relations at Renmin University of China.
He said Egypt's stance on the Syria crisis is softer and more objective compared with other aggressive proposals in the region.
"As the political capital of the Arab world, Egypt's position toward the Syria crisis is consistent and constructive and China can further its cooperation with it," he added.
China sent its envoy Ambassador Li Huaxin to Syria earlier this month to meet with government officials and heads of relevant opposition groups. Li urged the Syrian government and all relevant parties to immediately halt the violence.
Contact the writers at chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn and lilianxing@chinadaily.com.cn
China Daily
