Peace talks is the only way to Syrian crisis: Chinese envoy

China’s special envoy to Syria, Xie Xiaoyan on Sunday said that the only solution for the Syria crisis is through reaching a political settlement with peace negotiations.

Speaking with Egyptian officials in charge of foreign affairs in Cairo, the Chinese official said he does not see a quick fix to the Syrian issue, stressing that any military option does not offer a solution.

“We can’t expect to solve the Syrian issue, which is complicated, in a short time, or to make a breakthrough overnight. But this doesn’t matter. We can’t expect that there will be no complications, no setbacks, or no difficulties. All these are common,” he said.

We can't expect to solve the Syrian issue, which is complicated, in a short time, or to make a breakthrough overnight. But this doesn't matter.

He added that another positive development is a stronger realization and commitment in the fight against terrorism.

“All terrorist organizations named by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should be attacked. We shouldn’t hold double or multiple standards upon this issue, even a selective attitude. We should adhere to a single standard to counter terrorist organizations,” Xiaoyan said.

The official noted that Egypt is a major regional country and that the north African country is playing a positive and important role in solving the Syrian issue. Adding that China would like to continue to keep in touch with Egypt.

The Chinese envoy is on an official visit to Cairo where he met with officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss possible solutions to the Syrian crisis.

The Syrian crisis started on March 15, 2011, and resulted into a full-fledged war that involved outside forces.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, More than 310,000 people have been killed during the Syria’s six-year war.