China opposes external forces undermining Syria’s security, stability

China opposes external forces interfering in Syria’s internal affairs and undermining Syria’s security and stability, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), said on Monday.

Geng made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on political and humanitarian issues in Syria.

The situation along the Syrian-Israeli border has become tense as the Palestine-Israel conflict continues to escalate.

Every effort should be made to avoid the spillover of tensions, said Geng, urging all parties concerned to keep restraint to avoid the spread of conflict, which would deteriorate the regional security.

China hopes that non-regional countries, especially some major powers, can stay objective and impartial and play a constructive role in cooling down the situation. “They should not, on the one hand, call for the prevention of an escalation and, on the other hand, do things that exacerbate tensions,” he said.

Highlighting the need to resolutely combat terrorist forces in Syria, Geng said China strongly condemns the terrorist attack that took place earlier this month at Syria’s Homs Military Academy and firmly supports the Syrian government in taking the necessary measures to combat terrorism and maintain national security and stability.

Geng noted that China’s position on the humanitarian issue in Syria is consistent and clear. It supports the UN and the Syrian government in maintaining benign interactions and implementing new cross-border humanitarian relief arrangements on the premise of fully respecting Syria’s sovereignty and the Syrian government’s leadership.

All parties should also step up their efforts to clear the obstacles to cross-border relief, he added.

Noting humanitarian funding for Syria is grossly insufficient, Geng said that unilateral sanctions have weakened the Syrian government’s ability to mobilize resources and carry out reconstruction, and must be unconditionally lifted as soon as possible.

(Cover: A file photo of Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. /CFP)