China's Premier Says Syria Needs Political Solution

Beijing, China: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said today there must be a political solution to the crisis in Syria, repeating a stance China has adopted throughout, following talks in Beijing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

China has repeatedly expressed opposition to the use of force to resolve the crisis in Syria, saying that a political solution was the only way out.

Russia last month began air strikes on targets in Syria in a dramatic escalation of foreign involvement in the civil war. This has been criticised by the West as an attempt to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, rather than its purported aim of attacking Islamic State.

Li said the urgency of resolving the Syria situation issue was rising.

"The most important thing is to seize the opportunity to implement a political resolution and set up an equal, inclusive and open political dialogue," he told reporters.

He said many global leaders had made suggestions about how to tackle the crisis.

"We hope that we can put together these suggestions, and particularly through the United Nations, this organisation, advance the resolution of the Syria issue," Li said, adding China would continue to play a "constructive role".

The United States and its allies have also been carrying out air strikes in Syria against Islamic State, and have supported opposition groups fighting Assad.

While China generally votes with fellow permanent UN Security Council member Russia on the Syria issue, it has expressed concern about interference in Syria's internal affairs and repeatedly called for a political solution.

China, a low-key diplomatic player in the Middle East despite its dependence on the region for its oil, has warned many times military action cannot end the crisis.

Merkel is under intense pressure for her handling of a wave of refugees in Germany, mainly from Syria and Afghanistan.