CCTV9英语新闻：China appoints first special envoy for Syrian crisis（在线收听）

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China has appointed its first special envoy for the Syrian crisis.  Xie Xiaoyan is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador to Iran, ambassador to Ethiopia, and as China's representative at African Union.

Spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Hong Lei, made the announcement on Tuesday.

"The purpose of China's appointment of a special envoy for the Syria issue is to further increase the efforts to promote peaceful talks, to better put forward China's wisdom, to better come up with its proposals, to better strengthen negotiation with all sides to push forward the appropriate resolution of the Syria issue."

Hong Lei reiterated China has always actively dedicated itself to the appropriate resolution of the Syria issue.

He stressed that a political solution is the only way out for the Syrian issue, and that the U.N. should play a dominant role in the process.

He noted that China supported the mediation efforts of U.N. Syria special envoy Staffan de Mistura and has provided humanitarian assistance to the region.

The latest round of Syrian peace talks wrapped up several days ago. A paper of 12 points of commonalities was delivered to both the Syrian government and the opposition for further consideration.