China warns against worsening Syrian crisis

China on Monday stressed the urgency of preventing the situation in Syria from deteriorating.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was responding to a statement made by British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

Fallon on Sunday accused Russia of being “responsible” by proxy for the deaths of civilians last week in a suspected chemical weapons attack.

The United States accused the Syrian Army of being behind the attack on Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province, an allegation denied by Damascus.

In response to the chemical attacks, the US on Friday struck a Syrian air base in Homs with 59 Tomahawk missiles.

Hua said China opposes the use of chemical weapons by any country, organization or person for any purpose and under any circumstance.

China supports an independent and comprehensive investigation by UN agencies into the suspected use of chemical weapons, Hua said.

Relevant countries, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should play a role in maintaining international peace and security, Hua said.

China always opposes the use of force and maintains that state sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, Hua said. The future of Syria must be decided by its own people, Hua said, adding that the international community should respect the Syrian people’s choice in this regard.

“China is willing to work with the international community to promote a political settlement in Syria at an early date,” Hua said.