BEIJING - Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said Wednesday that most people working for Chinese projects in Syria have already evacuated from the violence-torn country.

Some 100 are staying there to look after their money, equipment, and projects, Chen said.

"We will come back to those projects when the situation there is stable and favorable for peaceful development," Chen said.

The Chinese embassy and companies have cut the number of their personnel since Syria has been gripped with domestic violence since last March.