CHINA says it will invite representatives of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures to Beijing in an effort to help resolve the years-long crisis in the Arab country.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the invitation at the United Nations over the weekend, according to the ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

    “He (Wang) announced that China will invite the representatives of the Syrian Government and the opposition to visit China for assisting the political process on settling the crisis in Syria,” Hong said.

    He further said that the invitation is part of China’s efforts to play a constructive role in promoting a political resolution to the crisis.

    “We will provide the respective information in due time,” he said, adding the talks are expected to take place “in the nearest future.”

    The foreign minister, who took part in the third ministerial meeting on Syria of the United Nations Security Council in New York, said the two most important issues are launching political negotiations among Syrian parties and implementing a U.N.-monitored cease-fire.

    “Without peace talks, the cease-fire cannot be sustained. Without a cease-fire, peace talks cannot continue to produce results,” he said.

    The U.N. body Friday unanimously approved a resolution endorsing an international roadmap for a Syria peace process. The resolution calls for Syrian peace talks on a transitional government to begin in early January. It also calls for a nationwide cease-fire in the country.

    Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. The United States and its regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are accused of supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

    The foreign-sponsored war against the Syrian state and people has killed more than 250,000 people and driven more than 10 million from their homes.

    (SD-Agencies)