BEIJING (Sputnik) — China supports the territorial integrity of Syria, as well as Damascus' independence and sovereignty, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"China's position is based on the necessity to preserve Syria's independence, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that all the sides [involved in Syrian settlement] will decrease the level of controversies, achieve broader consensus and find a solution of the Syrian problem through dialogue and consultations," Hong Lei told reporters.
He added that China previously appointed a special envoy for Syria to play a constructive role in the settlement of the crisis in the Middle Eastern country.
Since 2011, Syria has been mired in a civil war, with government forces fighting a number of opposition forces, as well as militant groups.
Representatives of the Syrian government and opposition are participating in proximity talks, being held in multiple rounds in the Swiss city of Geneva, to try to solve a number of issues related to the country's future.
