Chinese UN envoy: Political settlement 'the only way out' for Syrian crisis

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A political settlement is the only way out of the Syrian issue and a military solution is not the correct approach to solve the situation, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ma Zhaoxu said on Friday at a UN Security Council meeting in New York.

China called on relevant parties to solve the issue peacefully through negotiation and dialogue, avoiding the escalation of the situation, Ma said.

At this critical juncture, the Security Council should take up its responsibilities to build unity and consensus and do its utmost to prevent war, he said.

The pressing priority is to launch a comprehensive, objective and impartial investigation into reports of chemical weapons use in Syria so as to arrive at authoritative conclusions, he said.

China has consistently been in favor of peaceful settlements in disputes, and has been opposed to the use of force or threat of the use of force in international relations, he said.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu (C, front) addresses a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, April 13, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

"Unilaterally taking military action by circumventing the Security Council is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and runs counter to the norms of international law and those governing international relations," Ma said.

Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity should be respected, he said.

China is convinced that there is no military solution to the Syrian issue and that the only way out is a political settlement, he said.

China supports the United Nations in playing an active role and calls on the international community to stick to diplomacy and the course of political settlement, give full play to the role of the United Nations as the main mediator, he said.

The situation in Syria has a bearing on regional and global peace and stability, has a bearing on the credibility and authority of the Security Council, said Ma, adding that China is ready to work tirelessly for peace and security in the Middle East and the world at large.

(With input from Xinhua)

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