China's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it is offering medical training and important healthcare supplies to Syria, following a high-level visit to the country by a senior Chinese military official last week.  

"China has always played a proactive role in looking for a political resolution for the Syrian issue. At the agreement of both countries militaries, China has provided medical equipment as well as medicine and other humanitarian aid to Syria, mainly to ease the humanitarian crisis," China's defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a news briefing.

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Wu added that China would also provide medical training to Syrian professionals. The training will take place in China, Reuters reported

The issue of humanitarian aid was discussed last week in a meeting between Guan Youfei, a senior Chinese military official, and Syrian Defence Minister Fahad Jassim al-Freij. China wants to strengthen military ties with Syria, Guan said after the meeting.    

While China has shied away from direct military intervention in Syria, it has been pushing for a political resolution to the on-going insurgency in the Middle Eastern country. Beijing has hosted several officials from the Syrian government and opposition parties and has also sent many envoys to war-ravaged country to resolve the crisis.      

Syria has been hit by a deadly civil war following a violent mass movement against President Bashar al-Assad's government in 2011. Many countries including Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have been militarily involved in Syria's civil war.

Traditionally, China has stayed away from politics in the Middle East contrary to the constant intervention by US and western forces. However, China's foreign policy for the oil-rich Middle Eastern region underwent a huge shift earlier this year after President Xi Jinping went on an unprecedented tour of Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

TagsSyria, china, China and Middle East, China and Syria