China terms its criticism by Clinton over Syria unacceptable
July 8th, 2012 - 7:29 am ICT by IANSBeijing, July 8 (IANS)Beijing has described US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s criticism of China at the latest Friends of Syria meeting as “unacceptable”, Xinhua reported.
On Friday, Clinton criticised China and Russia, saying both the countries should be told that they would pay a price for their support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
She said Russia and China were “holding up progress” in a settlement to the 16-month crisis, describing their stances as “no longer tolerable”.
On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin during a regular press conference said: “China is not impeding the process of resolving the Syrian issues.”
“On the contrary, China has made an important contribution to safeguarding the UN Charter, the basic norms governing international relations, the peace and stability of the region and the fundamental interests of the Syrian people as well as pursuing a political solution to the Syrian issues,” Liu added.
The spokesperson said the Geneva meeting, a ministerial-level gathering of the Action Group on Syria in which China played a constructive role, produced positive outcomes.
On June 30, the Geneva meeting gathered foreign ministers of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members along with Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, plus representatives of the UN, the Arab League and the European Union.
The ministers agreed that a transitional government should be set up in Syria to end the conflict but did not stipulate the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.
China’s impartial and constructive stance as well as its diplomatic efforts have been widely recognised and supported by the international community, said Liu, adding that any efforts to blame the image of China or make mischief between it and other nations will end in vain.
- Clinton seeks Russia, China's help in Syrian crisis - Jun 07, 2012
- US downplays Syrian offer to discuss Assad's resignation - Aug 22, 2012
- Russia, China must pay for supporting Assad: Clinton - Jul 06, 2012
- China calls for peaceful solution to Syrian crisis - Feb 25, 2012
- US 'disgusted' by Russia, China veto on Syria resolution - Feb 05, 2012
- Clinton hopes Russia, China will change stance on Syria - Feb 25, 2012
- Russia hits out at West's 'chilling' stance on Syria - Jul 25, 2012
- Russia slams West over Syria allegations - Jul 20, 2012
- Syria's Assad not ready to stand down - Jul 20, 2012
- Clinton warns Russia over Syria policy - Jun 14, 2012
- Moscow ready to host conference on Syria - Jun 13, 2012
- Arab League offers safe exit if Assad resigns - Jul 23, 2012
- Russia denies holding talks over Assad exit - Jun 16, 2012
- Russia urges Syria to call off troops - Apr 03, 2012
- No Russian asylum for Syrian president: Minister - Mar 21, 2012
Tags: arab league, bashar al assad, constructive role, criticised china, diplomatic efforts, foreign ministers, foreign ministry spokesperson, fundamental interests, hillary clinton, ministerial level, mischief, ouster, peace and stability, political solution, president bashar, syrian president bashar al, transitional government, un security council, weimin, xinhua