‍Refugees are not migrants and the international community should strive to create appropriate conditions to encourage refugees to return to their homes, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

The Chinese top diplomat said China supports efforts to prevent the further deterioration of the refugee crisis in the Middle East. 

Wang was speaking at a briefing following a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil in Beirut as part of a one-day visit to Lebanon. 

Bassil said Lebanon is under huge pressure to host refugees, mostly from Syria.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil during his official visit in Beirut, Lebanon on June 23, 2017./ VCG Photo

Wang said the easing of tensions and a political settlement in Syria may lead to the resolution of the refugee crisis.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will take on a constructive role in resolving the refugee crisis, Wang said. The country will also offer urgent humanitarian aid for refugees.

Since 2006, China has maintained a peacekeeping operation force in southern Lebanon, tasked with missions such as mine-sweeping, project construction and humanitarian assistance.

(With inputs from Xinhua)