Syrian civil war

With regard to the civil war in Syrian, Xi, calling it "the most complicated and intractable hotspot in the Middle East," reiterated that a political solution is the only way out, adding that it "has inflicted untold hardships on the Syrian people and posed a grave challenge to regional and global peace and stability."

"China's position on the issue is consistent. We maintain that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria should be upheld and respected, that the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people on their own, and that political settlement is the only viable way out," he said.

Citing positive signs in the Astana meeting in mid-March and the latest progress on the United Nation-brokered Geneva talks, Xi urged more efforts to "lock in the hard-won momentum of political settlement, while calling for support for the UN's role as the main channel for engaging the Syrian government and the opposition in "consultation with good faith and patience."

"China commends Russia for its important and positive influence and role in facilitating a proper settlement of the Syrian issue," the president added.