On April 18, 2012, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Beijing. The two sides exchanged views, particularly on the Syrian situation.
Foreign Minister Yang said that the Syrian government and the opposition forces recently declared a ceasefire. The cessation of violence was preliminarily realized in Syria, which the Chinese side welcomes. Yang introduced China’s principle and position on the Syrian issue and the efforts made by China. He expressed the hope that the Syrian government could continue to execute the 6-point proposal made by the UN-Arab League Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan, actively support Annan’s mediation efforts, take substantial measures to fulfill ceasefire, troop withdrawal and other commitments, and implement the resolution of sending an advance team of United Nations monitors to Syria, which was recently passed by the Security Council. He also expressed the hope that Syria could actively cooperate with the advance group to deploy the ceasefire monitoring mechanism, really launch the inclusive political dialogue and reform process, and seek for a just, peaceful and proper solution to the Syrian issue. At the same time, China hopes that the Syrian opposition forces could also fulfill ceasefire and other commitments and implement Annan’s six-point proposal.
Walid Muallem introduced the current situation in Syria and expressed the appreciation and gratitude to China for always upholding an objective and impartial position on the Syrian issue and for making efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian issue. He said that the Syrian government would continue to support Annan’s mediation efforts, abide by and execute Annan’s 6-point proposal, fulfill ceasefire, troop withdrawal and other relevant commitments and cooperate with the UN monitoring mission.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-Syria bilateral relations.