Chinese experts to join Syria weapons inspections

China has decided to send experts to join in the inspections and destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said. "China will provide financial aid in this regard," Hong told a daily news briefing when asked about the country's role in facilitating a political solution on the Syria issue. Hong said that China has been actively engaged in consultations with the United Nations Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council to facilitate the adoption of decisions and resolutions relating to Syria, according to China's (Xinhua) News Agency. He said the efforts helped bring Syria from the brink of war back on the path to peace and sending a unanimous call to the international community. Hong reiterated China's firm commitment to the purposes, principles and basic rules of international relations set in the UN Charter and its opposition to the threat or use of force. "China supports the UN inquiry group's investigation of Syria's chemical weapons in an independent, objective, fair and professional way," he said, voicing opposition to the use of chemical weapons by anyone or any organization. China maintains that countries in the region and the international community should play an active and constructive role to facilitate a political solution to the issues in Syria, according to the spokesman. "We welcome and support the second Geneva conference on Syria to be held as soon as possible and look forward to positive results from the meeting," he told reporters. Hong expressed China's deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and about how Syrians have suffered. China has offered humanitarian assistance within its capacity to displaced people in Syria and refugees outside the country. China will continue efforts to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Syria in accordance with the developments of situation and actual need.