China urges assistance for Annan's Syria mediation

China on Thursday urged all parties involved to actively cooperate with U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's mediating efforts on the Syrian crisis.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on a presidential statement drafted by the United States in cooperation with Britain, France and Germany.

The statement asks Annan to continue to update the council on Syria's compliance with the April 10 deadline and progress toward implementing his six-point peace plan, which calls for an end to violence and dialogue between the government and opposition on a "political transition" for the country.

Hong said China supports Annan's mediating efforts and calls on all parties concerned to actively assist his work.

He said the actions of the international society, including the UN Security Council, should provide constructive assistance to Annan's mediation, so as to end the violence, ease the tensions and push forward political dialogues, in an effort to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.

The presidential statement carries no weight of a Security Council resolution, which requires nine votes in favor and no vetoes from any of the five permanent Council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.