Xie Xiaoyan. (File photo: Xinhua)
Moscow (People's Daily) - China’s Special Envoy for Syria, Xie Xiaoyan, held a press briefing for Chinese and Russian journalists in Moscow on Friday, urging all related parties to reach a political solution to bring an end to the Syrian conflict.
Xie stressed a need for dialogue between nations, saying that the Syrian crisis effects the entire world – not just the region – and that countries such as Russia and China need to find ways to help improve the situation. Xie said that a political settlement is the “only way out” and that further military use will solve nothing.
Xie said that China is open to suggestions and that any ideas that are conducive to promoting peaceful discussions are encouraged. He said that inviting different groups to international conferences will help provide fresh prospective on real issues and can help create peaceful solutions.
Xie said one of the issues that the international community now faces is the material crisis in Syria. Since more than half a million people have died from the war and millions more have become refugees – the region needs material assistance to provide for its citizens. Xie said the international community needs to pay more attention to this issue.
As a member of the UN Security Council, and a responsible world power, China has never been absent from the issue. Since the outbreak of the war in 2011, China have provided humanitarian assistance on different occasions for goods such as food, medicine, shelter and money. They have done this for not only Syria, but also neighboring countries as well. He said China will continue to help where it can.
Xie said once the war is over, and safety is guaranteed, reconstruction can begin in the area. He said China has companies that are ready and willing to work in the rebuilding efforts. He also mentioned that the amount of reconstruction needed in Syria will cost hundreds of billions of US dollars, and that the international community must step up to help with this undertaking. Xie said that China will be a promoter and contributor to this process.