Chinese FM: Syrian government, opposition talks important

Talks between the Syrian government and the opposition are an important step towards a political settlement of the Syrian issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday. Representatives from the two sides will continue talks on Tuesday, UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said on Monday. Hua told a daily press briefing that China and the international community have made many efforts to get the two sides to sit down together for the first time. She encouraged the two sides to stick to sincerity and patience, noting that China believes negotiations will progress as long as the two sides adhere to a political resolution. She called on both sides to make mutual compromises on the basis of the Geneva Communique to narrow differences, build trust and find a solution that is acceptable by all sides in Syria. The second batch of chemical weapons materials was loaded onto ships on Monday and transported out of Syria for destruction following the first consignment on Jan. 7. The vessels were accompanied by a naval escort provided by China, Denmark, Norway and Russia. Hua said the shipping and escort mission is being done rapidly, smoothly and safely. She said the smooth development in shipping out chemical weapons materials from Syria demonstrated the determination and will of all parties including the country's government in destructing Syria's chemical weapons. China appreciates the efforts of all parties and the development in removing chemical weapons from Syria, Hua said. China will continue to strengthen coordination with parties concerned in order to jointly ensure the safe and smooth transportation of Syria's chemical weapons materials, said the spokeswoman.