Syrian opposition chief to visit China ahead of peace talks later this month

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The head of Syria’s opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) is set to visit China this week, ahead of peace talks planned for January 25.

During his four-day visit that begins Tuesday, SNC president Khaled Khoja is expected to meet with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The upcoming visit comes just a fortnight after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem visited China.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, explained that China is meeting the SNC president in order "to promote a political settlement of the Syrian issue."

"We believe that the future of Syria should be decided by the people of Syria, so China is now doing everything to move the Syrian issue along on the correct path of political dialogue as quickly as possible," she explained.

"China's position has received high appreciation and affirmation from the international community, particularly the Syrian people," she added. China and the other five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council voted on December 18 for a comprehensive peace process aimed at bringing a ceasefire to Syria at the end of this month.

China and Russia have used their veto power in recent years to block resolutions condemning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Now, China seeks a diplomatic solution to the Syrian conflict, which is now in its fifth year.