China opposes US airstrikes on Syria

Beijing: China today opposed the joint attack by the US, France and the UK on Syria, saying any action bypassing the UN charter violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

The US ordered the launch of air strikes on Syria in retaliation to the alleged chemical attacks by President Bashar al-Assad. US President Donald Trump claimed that the joint action was meant to establish a “strong deterrent” against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.

Trump said he has ordered “precision strikes” against Syria, where dozens of people were killed last weekend in a suspected toxic gas attack on Douma, the largest town in a former rebel stronghold outside Damascus. Calling for the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and resolve the Syria issue through dialogue and negotiation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Beijing is opposed the use of force.

China opposed the use of force in international relations and called for respect for other countries’ sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” she said in response to media queries, seeking Beijing reaction to the air strikes. “Any unilateral military action bypassing the Security Council runs contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and will further complicate the Syrian issue,” Hua said.

Hua said China believes a comprehensive, impartial and objective investigation should be carried out to reach a reliable conclusion that could stand the test of time. “Yet before that, a prejudgment should not be made,” she added.

China believes that political settlement is the only viable way out for the Syrian issue. Relevant parties of the international community should continue to support the role of the UN as the main channel for mediation and make relentless efforts to facilitate the final settlement of the Syrian issue.

When asked about the current situation of Chinese citizens in Syria, Hua said the Chinese government took their safety very seriously and the Chinese Embassy in Syria had maintained close communication with them. They are all safe so far, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.