China urges the Syrian government and various political factions in the country to end all acts of violence against civilians. This is the message delivered by China’s Special Envoy to Syria the Vice Foreign Minister, Zhai Jun. He is said to have met with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Zhai Jun has reaffirmed that China backs President Bashar al-Assad's plans for a referendum on a new constitution and multi-party elections.

A call for peace.

That is the message Special Envoy to Syria Zhai Jun gave to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Meeting in Damascus on Saturday, Zhai Jun made clear China’s position regarding the ongoing crisis in Syrian. He warned that China is closely following the development and is deeply concerned by the escalating violence.

After the meeting, the Vice Foreign Minister told reporters that China calls on Syria to restore stability and normal social order, in line with the fundamental interests of the Syrian people.

Zhai Jun, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, said, "Only in an environment of stability can a comprehensive political reform plan be implemented and the development of Syria and the well-being of its people be achieved. China urges all parties concerned in Syria to jointly discuss a comprehensive political reform plan and mechanism. China adopts an objective and just stance on the issue of Syria. We hope Syria could smoothly conduct a referendum on the draft of a new constitution and parliamentary elections, and achieve reform, development and the well-being of the Syrian people in an environment of stability."

The Special Envoy is on a two-day visit to Damascus. His trip comes just one day after the UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution calling for Bashar al-Assad to step down. 137 voted for the resolution, 17 countries abstained, and 12 countries including China and Russia voted against the measure. Their stand follows their recent veto of a similar resolution at the Security Council.

As of early January, the 11-month crackdown had killed more than 5,400 people according to the UN. The UN and other observers say the government is responsible for most civilians deaths. But the Syrian government on Saturday blamed the turmoil as a ploy by the Western-backed opposition to split the country.