The future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, adding that “we hope relevant parties will find a political settlement to restore stability and order in Syria for the long-term and fundamental interest of the Syrian people.”
China is closely following the situation in Syria, Mao said in response to a question that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ruling has ended and a new government is about to be established and how China views the current situation in Syria and whether it will establish contact with the new government.
Armed opposition forces took full control of Damascus on Sunday with the swift collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Russian state media said on Sunday that Assad had landed in Moscow, and was granted asylum along with his family.
The decision to grant political asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the press secretary of the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters.
“Currently, we are witnessing a period of transformation and extreme instability,” Peskov told journalists on Monday. He noted that the recent developments in Syria have surprised the world, including Russia. “It will take time before we can engage in serious conversations with those who hold power.”
It also noted that Syria’s neighbors have stepped up security along their borders. Lebanon said it was closing all but one of its land border crossings with Syria. Jordan also closed a border crossing.
