China supports UN sending observers to Syria's Aleppo

Photo taken on Dec. 19, 2016, shows the UN Security Council voting on a draft resolution to send UN observers to monitor evacuations in Syria's war-torn Aleppo, at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/UN Photo/Amanda Voisard)

China on Monday said it supports a new draft resolution aimed at sending UN observers to monitor evacuations from besieged parts of Syria's war-torn Aleppo.

The UN Security Council Sunday held closed-door consultations on sending observers to monitor evacuations and to report on the protection of civilians inside Aleppo. A vote on the France-drafted resolution is expected Monday night.

China has an eye on the humanitarian situation in Syria and supports the UN's coordinator role in assistance efforts, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

"All parties have preliminarily reached an agreement on the draft," Hua said, adding that China hopes UN Security Council members will work together and ensure passage of the resolution on the basis of consensus.

China has participated in consultations in a constructive way and maintained a just and objective stance to promote Security Council members to work in the same direction and garner consensus, Hua said.

Security Council resolution 2254 is fundamental for easing the tension in Syria, according to Hua.

"China will continuously take an active role in the political settlement process in Syria and make constructive contributions to peace and stability in Syria," Hua added.

Once Syria's commercial hub, Aleppo has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with western parts under government control and eastern districts held by rebels.

The situation in Aleppo has deteriorated rapidly after a truce accord collapsed in September. According to the UN, tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Aleppo and are subjected to air strikes.