BEIJING - China on Tuesday called on all parties in Syria to continue advancing the Geneva peace talks and start an inclusive political transition as soon as possible.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on news that the Syrian parliament on Monday voted to hold presidential elections on June 3.

China attaches a high degree of attention to the Syrian issue, Qin said, adding that the crisis has brought suffering to the Syrian people.

Qin said China called on all parties in Syria to cease fire and stop violence as soon as possible, continue to promote a new round of peace talks of the Geneva II conference and push forward an inclusive political transition.

The first two rounds of the Geneva II conference failed to bring the two warring sides closer, and a third round has been planned but not yet scheduled.