China condemns deadly blast in Syrian capital

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday condemned the deadly blast that occurred in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday.

"The Chinese side strongly condemns all forms of terrorist attacks and is grief-stricken about the casualties of many innocent civilians in the Damascus blast," spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing.

At least 53 people were killed and scores of others injured on Thursday, when a suicide bomber detonated his car laden with explosives at a busy intersection in the heart of Damascus near the headquarters of the ruling al-Baath party. Media reports say part of the Russian Embassy in Damascus, including a residential unit, also sustained heavy damage in the attack.

Hong said China is deeply concerned about the threat to the security of the embassy.

During the briefing, Hong reiterated China's appeal for all relevant sides to commit to a ceasefire soon as well as start a political dialogue to push ahead the political transition and restore peace and stability in the war-torn country at an early date.