China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations has called on Israel to stop its illegal attacks on Syria and urged foreign forces to also end their military presence in the Arab country.
At a UN Security Council press conference on the situation in Syria on Wednesday, Geng Shuang stressed the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said that without a favorable security environment, a stable political process cannot be achieved in Syria.
Beijing supports the government in Damascus’s increased efforts against terrorism, he added, and calls on the international community to join forces to combat terrorists operating in Syria, in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions.
Geng further said that the unilateral sanctions and the illegal plundering of Syria’s resources “must be stopped immediately” as these measures have seriously weakened the country’s ability to recover economically and develop socially.
Since March 2011, Syria has been in the grip of an insurgency supported by foreign powers: Western states and their allies in the region are supporting the terrorist groups that are causing chaos and devastation there.
With the support of Iran and Russia, Syrian forces have managed to regain control of almost all regions of the Arab country.
However, the northern parts of Syria are still controlled by militants and foreign occupation forces.
China calls on donors to guarantee humanitarian projects in Syria
In his remarks, the Chinese envoy also referred to the humanitarian situation in Syria and said that thanks to the joint efforts of Damascus and the United Nations, the cross-border aid mechanism in the Arab country can function stably.
He also called on donors to continue their aid pledges and ensure adequate funding for humanitarian projects throughout Syria.
Meanwhile, Geng noted that China supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to continue to engage with all parties in accordance with a Syrian-led political process.
In his video address to the meeting on Wednesday, Pedersen said that the currently escalating tensions in West Asia have not spared Syria, citing Israel’s deadly air strikes in the provinces of Homs, Hama and Dera’a.
He also expressed concern about an increase in attacks by the terrorist group Daesh in Syria and called for an immediate and sustained de-escalation of hostilities and a cooperative approach in combating terrorist organisations.