China urges end to Syrian violence

A Chinese envoy visiting Damascus has called on all sides in Syria to stop the violence.

Vice-foreign minister Zhai Jun was in the Syrian capital for a meeting with president Bashar Assad, and said he is hopeful the authorities will restore stability soon.

He said China was “extremely concerned” about the escalation of the crisis in Syria.

China along with Russia has refused to condemn Syria over the crackdown on an uprising now in its 11th month, which according to the UN killed more than 5,400 people last year alone.

China this week voted against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning human rights violations in Syria.

The vote followed China’s recent veto of a similar resolution in the UN Security Council.