Syria

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the situation in Syria became even more turbulent. There were sustained military conflicts, an ongoing chemical weapons crisis and graver humanitarian situation. China worked unremittingly for a political settlement of the Syrian issue and to promote peace talks between the Syrian government and oppositions in a balanced way. It worked for a proper settlement of the issue of Syria's chemical weapons and stood out as a force for peace and against war.

On 29 September, when attending the General Debate of the 68 UN General Assembly in UN headquarters in New York, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Syria's Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem. In December, China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Wu Sike attended the ninth Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, during which he met with Monzer Akbik, Chief of Staff to the President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. From 4 to 7 February, Syria's Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited China. From 10 to 14 September, a delegation of the Syrian National Dialogue Forum visited China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute on Foreign Affairs.

In 2013, the Chinese government continued to provide, through multiple channels and in multiple batches, humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, including Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and other neighbouring countries of Syria.

Source: fmprc.gov.cn