A political settlement is the only solution to the Syrian conflict and a fundamental way to improve the refugee crisis, said a Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation has brought untold suffering to the Syrian people and China expresses its sadness and empathy to the Syrian people.

He made the remarks after the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution which extends for another year the cross-border delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syrians in urgent need.

China calls on the Syrian parties concerned to fulfill their obligations and effectively implement UN Security Council resolutions so as to ensure effective cross-border humanitarian relief and truly alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, the Chinese envoy said.

Currently, the fight against terrorism is a top priority of the international community, Wang said. "We hope the international community, while carrying out cross-border humanitarian relief, forges synergy with counter-terrorism efforts of the international community."

On Dec. 18, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2254, which reflects the broad consensus of the international community, the important role of the council and the ardent expectations of the Syrian people, he said.

China hopes relevant parties can make joint efforts to implement this resolution as soon as possible and bring peace to the Syrian people, he said.

The resolution 2254 endorsed a road map for a peace process in Syria, setting out an early-January timetable for United Nations-facilitated talks between the Syrian government and opposition members, as well as a nationwide ceasefire to begin as soon as the parties concerned had taken initial steps towards a political transition. 

Source: XINHUA