China supports talks on Syria in Geneva on January 25 - foreign ministry

BEIJING, January 15. /TASS/. China supports negotiations on Syria in Geneva on January 25, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Friday. "The Syrian problem should be solved by political means. China supports holding peace talks between the Syrian sides with UN mediation," the diplomat noted. "We hope that all sides will continue supporting mediation efforts of UN special envoy for Syrua (Staffan de Mistura) and contribute to reaching positive results at the talks," Hong stressed. "China will work together will all sides to promote the negotiations process," the spokesperson concluded. On January 14 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that negotiations on Syria will start on January 25 in Geneva. He reminded that holding a meeting on Syria in January is envisaged by the UN Security Council resolution adopted in December and called on participants at the talks to show "flexibility." On December 18 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2254 in support of the Vienna agreements on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria envisages participation of the Syrian opposition and representatives of government in the talks that are due to start in January 2016. The final goals of negotiations are defined as establishing the transitional government, adopting a constitution and holding election in the next 18 months. The document does not mention Syrian President Bashar Assad whose future remains the main stumbling block. The resolution states that the Syrian people should decide the future of the country. Read more