Political settlement is ultimate way out for Syria humanitarian crisis: Chinese envoy

A political settlement of the Syria crisis in the ultimate way to solve the country's humanitarian problem and other issues, said a Chinese envoy here on Monday.

Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a Security Council meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Syria's northern city of Aleppo.

"China is gravely concerned about the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis in Syria," said Wu. "We welcome Russia's support for the UN proposal for a weekly 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo."

While commending the effort made by the International Syria Support Group co-chaired by United States and Russia, Wu said China hopes the parties concerned can urge the Syrian government as well as the opposition to facilitate UN's aid effort to ease humanitarian crisis in Aleppo without delay.

Wu also called on the international community including other countries in the region to support UN's leading role in the area of good offices to sustain the momentum for political settlement and ensure the process can come to fruition.

"China has been actively supporting the mitigation of humanitarian situation in Syria," he said, noting that China has provided humanitarian aid including food and supplies for Syria as well as other countries in the region through multiple channels.

Aleppo, Syria's largest city and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed heavy battles lately as both warring parties have stepped up their game in the hope of grabbing more gains in this key province.

UN statistics show that 275,000 people in eastern Aleppo have been almost entirely cut off from food, water and medicine for over a month, while access remains extremely difficult to the estimated 1.5 million people in western parts of the city. Enditem