China on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a political solution to the Syrian conflict ahead of an international conference on Syria to be held on Saturday in Geneva.

"China has always stood for a political solution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during a regular press briefing.

He said the international community should aid the mediation efforts of Special Envoy Kofi Annan, encourage all parties in Syria to halt the violence and to implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council and Annan's proposals, as well as launch a political dialogue with no attached preconditions or predetermined outcome.

The spokesman also reiterated that China will work with the international community to promote a peaceful and appropriate solution for the Syrian conflict.

Annan said Wednesday that he has invited the foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States -- and Turkey to participate in Saturday's international conference.