China urges for respect for Syria's sovereignty amid Israeli attacks

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Monday urged for respect for the sovereignty of Syria, after Israel launched cross-border attacks, following the fall of the regime led by deposed President Bashar al-Assad, state media reported.

Beijing "is closely monitoring the situation in Syria," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in the Chinese capital.

Mao said China "stresses that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected."

She was reacting to the Israeli army airstrikes late Sunday across Syria targeting several sites following the overthrow of the Assad regime.

Israel launched airstrikes on dozens of strategic sites across the country after the Israeli army occupied the Syrian side of Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights.

Israeli fighter jets targeted military bases, air defense stations, and intelligence headquarters, as well as long- and short-range missile depots, weapons production centers, and unconventional weapon stockpiles.

The ministry spokeswoman also called on “all parties” to find a political solution in Syria.

It was the second statement by China since Sunday, hoping for stability in Syria.

Mao also said China “hopes that all relevant parties will act in the best interest of the Syrian people and find a political solution to restore stability in Syria as soon as possible.”

"The future and destiny of Syria should be determined by the Syrian people themselves," she added.

Over 10 days, opposition forces launched a lightning offensive, capturing key cities and then, on Sunday, the capital Damascus. The rapid advance, supported by defecting military units, led to the collapse of the Assad regime after 13 years of civil war.

Assad and his family fled to Moscow where Russia granted them asylum.