Any unilateral military action against Syria that bypasses the United Nations Security Council would be contrary to international law and would further intensify regional turbulence, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Hong Lei, the ministry spokesman, was responding to questions about US President Barack Obama's Tuesday address to the nation on Syria.

"China upholds that the UN Security Council must play a positive role on this issue and is willing to maintain communication with all parties on the next steps by the Security Council," Hong said.

"We also believe that any action by the Security Council must be based on consensus after thorough discussion by all parties. The actions should help ease present tensions, maintain peace and stability in Syria and the region, and facilitate a political resolution," he added.

Hong said that Russia's proposal for Syria to give up its chemical weapons for eventual destruction had created an "important opportunity" for a political resolution, and China welcomes Syria's commitment to the Russian initiative.

"'Chemical weapons for peace' is an important step the Syrian government has taken to address the current tensions," he said. "We hope that all sides can seize this opportunity and resolve the Syrian issue through political and diplomatic channels.

"On the Syrian issue, China advocates the prohibition of chemical weapons, and sees a political solution as the general direction to take."

China Daily

(China Daily 09/12/2013 page11)