China urges U.S., Russia to avoid clashes on Syria

Photo taken on April 12, 2017 shows the United Nations Security Council voting on a draft Security Council resolution at the UN headquarters in New York. Russia Wednesday vetoed a Western draft Security Council resolution on an alleged chemical attack in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

China urges all parties, particularly the United States and Russia, to increase communication and coordination to avoid clashes in dealing with the Syrian crisis, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

The comment came after Russia vetoed a UN resolution drafted by the United Kingdom, France and the United States demanding a speedy investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack in the Syrian province of Idlib on April 4.

Western powers, including the United States, blame the Syrian government for the attack. The United States fired 59 cruise missiles at the Shairat military base in central Syria in response.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov was quoted by media saying that the draft pre-judged the Syrian government as responsible for the attack.

"A political solution is the only to deal with the Syria issue," Wang said when meeting the press after talks with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki in Beijing.

China calls on the international community to maintain solidarity and continue to support the UN as the main channel of mediation, Wang said.

He confirmed that Chinese government's special envoy to Syria, Xie Xiaoyan, will visit countries involved for an in-depth exchange of views.

Wang reaffirmed China's condemnation and opposition to use of chemical weapons. "China supports an independent and comprehensive investigation into reported chemical weapon use in Syria."

Action taken should be within the UN framework and in accordance with the UN Charter and basic norms of international relations, Wang said.

"China will work till the last minute to seek common ground through consultation in the Security Council," he said.

Wang said Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected and that the country's problems mainly resolved by the Syrian people.