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Syria crisis: China sends senior envoy Syria crisis: China sends senior envoy
(40 minutes later)
China says it is sending a senior envoy to Syria in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the country's crisis.China says it is sending a senior envoy to Syria in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the country's crisis.
Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun will go to the capital, Damascus, on Friday.Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun will go to the capital, Damascus, on Friday.
China was widely criticised for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution urging Syria's leader to step down.China was widely criticised for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution urging Syria's leader to step down.
The UN General Assembly will vote later on an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning the Syrian government. Rights groups say some 7,000 civilians have been killed there since March.The UN General Assembly will vote later on an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning the Syrian government. Rights groups say some 7,000 civilians have been killed there since March.
The resolution also backs an Arab League plan calling for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to his vice-president. The measure cannot be vetoed in the assembly, but the resolution would be non-binding. The resolution also backs an Arab League plan calling for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to his vice-president.
Mr Zhai said on Thursday that China does not approve of armed intervention or forcing so-called "regime change" in Syria.
In an interview posted on the Chinese foreign ministry website, he condemned violence against civilians and called for the government to respect the people's "legitimate" desire for reform.
Officially, Beijing has a policy of non-interference in other countries' affairs.Officially, Beijing has a policy of non-interference in other countries' affairs.
But as China's become more influential, it's a policy that it's finding harder to maintain. In the case of Syria, Beijing remains wary about Western intentions.But as China's become more influential, it's a policy that it's finding harder to maintain. In the case of Syria, Beijing remains wary about Western intentions.
An editorial in the People's Daily newspaper - the mouthpiece of the Communist Party - warned that the violence in Syria could worsen if foreign powers intervened.An editorial in the People's Daily newspaper - the mouthpiece of the Communist Party - warned that the violence in Syria could worsen if foreign powers intervened.
It also stated that America's aim was to establish a friendly government in Syria - in order to counter the influence of Iran.It also stated that America's aim was to establish a friendly government in Syria - in order to counter the influence of Iran.
The measure cannot be vetoed in the assembly, but the resolution would be non-binding.
Ahead of the vote, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Syrian authorities to stop killing civilians, and said crimes against humanity might be taking place in the country.
"We see neighbourhoods shelled indiscriminately, hospitals used as torture centres, children as young as 10 years old killed and abused. We see almost a certain crimes against humanity," he told reporters during a visit to Austria.
Violence condemned
In Beijing, Mr Zhai said that China does not approve of armed intervention or forcing so-called "regime change" in Syria.
In an interview posted on the Chinese foreign ministry website, he condemned violence against civilians and called for the government to respect the people's "legitimate" desire for reform.
He also said sanctions or the threat of sanctions "are not conducive to the appropriate resolution of this issue".He also said sanctions or the threat of sanctions "are not conducive to the appropriate resolution of this issue".
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman would not say if Mr Zhai would also meet Syrian opposition representatives during the two-day visit.A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman would not say if Mr Zhai would also meet Syrian opposition representatives during the two-day visit.
"I believe the message of this visit is that China hopes for a peaceful and proper resolution of the Syrian situation, and that the Chinese side will play a constructive role in the mediation," spokesman Liu Weimin said.
Last week, Mr Zhai met a Syrian opposition delegation in Beijing.Last week, Mr Zhai met a Syrian opposition delegation in Beijing.
In Syria itself, government forces are reported to have launched a new attack on the town of Deraa, a day after President Assad announced a referendum on a new constitution. In Syria itself, government forces are reported to have launched a new attack on the town of Deraa in the south of the country, where the rebellion first started in March last year.
It follows major government offences against the cities of Hama and Homs. There are also reports of violence in the region round Hama where activists say at least 12 people were killed, and more shelling by government forces in Homs. Both cities have been the focus of major government offensives.