Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Wednesday called on the international community to strengthen solidarity and coordinate its actions to support and help Syria achieve stability and development.

Fu made the call at a UN Security Council meeting on Syria, at which he also stressed that the situation in Syria is now at a critical stage and that there are daunting challenges ahead.

He noted that China supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process in accordance with the spirit and principles of Council Resolution 2254, adding that the international community must effectively respect Syria's right to pursue a development path in line with its national conditions, and allow the Syrian people to decide their country's future based on their will.

"China notes that the national dialogue conference scheduled for January 5 has been postponed. We expect all parties in Syria to proceed from the long-term interests of the country and people and start an open and inclusive political settlement process," Fu said.

The Chinese envoy pointed out that no matter how the domestic situation in Syria develops, the bottom line of zero tolerance for terrorism cannot be changed.

It is reported that the Syrian army has recently granted senior military ranks to a number of foreign terrorist fighters, including the head of a Council-listed terrorist organization, the Turkistan Islamic Party, also known as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Fu said, before expressing China's concern about the issue.

He called on Syria to fulfill its counter-terrorism obligations and to prevent any terrorist forces from using Syrian territory to threaten the security of other countries.

Stressing that more than 16 million people in Syria are in dire humanitarian straits, and that prolonged illegal unilateral sanctions have further aggravated the suffering of the Syrian people, Fu urged the international community to increase its assistance to Syria.

"The UN should play a coordinating role, speeding up the implementation of humanitarian projects and prioritizing the needs of the population to survive the winter. All parties in Syria should abide by international humanitarian law, cooperate actively with humanitarian operations, and ensure humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian personnel," said Fu.

He also highlighted that the Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. Resolution 497(1981) adopted by the Council determines the legal status of the Golan Heights and makes it clear that the Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights is null and void.

The Chinese envoy reiterates China's stance that the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected, that the Council resolutions on the Golan Heights must be implemented, and that the 1974 agreement on disengagement of forces should be complied with. 

China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, and has never interfered in its internal affairs, Fu said. 

He added that China stands ready to continue working with the international community for Syria to have a smooth transition and gradually embark on a path of peaceful development.