China to help restore peace in the Middle East

China supports countries in a joint fight against terrorism to restore regional order and stability with the UN playing a major role, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday in response to China's recent moves in the Middle East.

“The world cannot achieve peace without a peaceful Middle East. And the region is at a crucial stage – from counter-terrorism to peace, and from economic restructuring to social changes… As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always paid attention to the peace, stability and development of the Middle East,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a daily briefing on Wednesday.

Geng was responding to China's recent moves in the Middle East, including receiving a visit from Syria's presidential political and media adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban.

Reporters also referred that Special Envoy of the Chinese government on the Syrian Issue Xie Xiaoyan is attending a new round of peace talks in Geneva.

China hopes all parties involved would find a comprehensive solution consistent with the region's and each party's interests through dialogue, Geng said, adding that the UN should play the main role in solving the Syrian issue and all voices of countries in the region should be heard.

“China support efforts made by countries in the region to reinforce counter-terrorism and to restore order and stability… China is willing to exchange ideas on its experience in national governance with countries in the region, jointly build the Belt and Road initiative and promote peace and stability through development,” Geng said.

While meeting Shaaban on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that counter-terrorism, dialogue and reconstruction should be the focal points to resolving the Syrian issue, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday.