Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister to visit China

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Makdad is to visit China, meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, in what Beijing said was part of its efforts to push for a political solution to end fighting in the country. China, along with Russia, has blocked three Security Council resolutions aimed at pushing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad out or pressuring him to end a civil war in which more than 60,000 people have died. But China has been keen to show it is not taking sides, inviting both Syrian government officials and opposition members to visit, despite having little influence in the Middle East. It has urged the Syrian government to talk to the opposition and take steps to meet demands for political change, and has said a transitional government should be formed.