China calls for national reconstruction program in Syria

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Tuesday expressed support for peace in Syria and called for an inclusive dialogue to establish a national reconstruction program, according to state media.

“China and the Syrian people are traditionally friendly,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

Guo said China “supports the realization of peace in Syria as soon as possible and the finding of a national reconstruction program that meets the will of the people through inclusive dialogue.”

He added that Beijing hopes Syria “will firmly oppose any form of terrorism and extremist forces.”

The comments from Beijing come as a new transitional administration under Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa rules Damascus since the fall of former President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long grip on power that began in 1963.

A new transitional administration led by President Sharaa was formed in January. The new leadership has dissolved the previous constitution, security apparatus, armed factions, parliament, and the Baath Party.