This year marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian crisis.

Over the past decade, Syria has suffered from external intervention, imposition of terrorism, blockades and sanctions. The country's development has come to a near standstill, millions of people have been displaced, and a large number of farmland and houses destroyed.

China's special envoy to Syria, Xie Xiaoyan, explained China's position on the Syrian issue on Monday.

"China has always taken a clear stand against external interference in Syria's internal affairs and military involvement in fixing the current crisis," said Xie. "We stand for the peaceful and proper settlement of the Syrian issue through inclusive political dialogue. China firmly maintains that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected and safeguarded, that the Syrian people alone should decide the future and destiny of Syria, and that political settlement is the only realistic way out of the crisis."

Xie believes that the evolution of the Syrian crisis over the past decade fully proves that the Syrian issue cannot be resolved through military means and can only be resolved through political means. The use of force and the use of violence against violence will only exacerbate the instability of the situation and accumulate more hatred. 

"The political solution may take a long time, but it will do the least harm to the Syrian people, best serve the interests of all parties and stand the test of history," Xie said.

Xie added that a ceasefire and the fight against terrorism must go hand in hand. 

"Ceasefire and cessation of violence is an important guarantee for the political settlement of the Syrian issue. But that does not mean we should be indifferent to the atrocities of terrorist groups." 

Xie said that the international community should adhere to unified standards, strengthen coordination and jointly crack down on all terrorist organizations listed by the security council in Syria so as to create favorable external conditions for dialogue and peace talks.

At the point of the 10th anniversary, Xie said China calls for a comprehensive approach from political, security, humanitarian and reconstruction aspects to help settle the Syrian crisis once and for all.

(Cover: Palestinian artist Mohammad al-Rakoui carries paintings at Yarmouk Camp in the south of Damascus, Syria, on November 26, 2020. /Xinhua)