China welcomed the arrival of Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem to Beijing on Thursday after the country offerred to help initiate peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition.

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The move is China's way of supporting the peace process as laid out earlier by a resolution issued by the UN Security Council of which China is a permanent member.

Moallem is in China for a series of meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

"The invitation is part of China's efforts to promote peace talks and the political settlement of the Syrian issue," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

Hong Lei added that China will likewise invite the Syrian opposition for a visit very soon.

After the UN resolution was passed, China became the first country to host a top Syrian government official and Moallem's arrival is a confirmation of the Syrian government's willingness to participate in the peace process.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Syria and China have agreed on three principles before the official peace talks begin in Geneva.

"We should stick to the peaceful resolution of Syrian issue, the people of Syria should decide the future and fate of Syria, and the U.N. plays a key role in negotiations," explained Wang at a press conference.

Political observers say that China has always pushed for a political settlement to the Syrian issue and that the only way to solve the crisis is for the Syrian people themselves to enter into negotiations.

This is apparently the reason China has not joined the US' and Russia's military approach to the Syrian issue.

Moallem vowed to participate in the peace process and said the Syrian government delegation will be ready as soon as he receives the list of the delegation of the opposition.

Political experts said the peace process seemed out of reach for the Syrians following four years of intense fighting triggered by a brutal crackdown of pro-democracy protests in March 2011.

The civil war has left 300,000 Syrians killed and  more than four million refugees are now seeking shelter in other countries.

TagsSyrian government, syrian crisis, Syrian Opposition, China to initiate peace talks