West's interference cause of Syria's woes: China Daily editorial

On China's diplomatic radar, the Middle East has always occupied a special niche. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's ongoing visit to the region, his second this year, once again demonstrates China's resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with partners in the region.

China always adheres to an independent foreign policy toward the conflict-ridden region, and seeks to uphold fairness, justice and noninterference. Unlike Western countries which view the region as a venue for their geopolitical wrangling, China not only advocates peace and stability but also strives to forge win-win cooperation with countries in the region.

China's commitment to building peace and stability in the Middle East was reflected in Wang's remarks in his meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday, when he reaffirmed that China opposes any attempt to seek regime change in Syria and firmly supports Syria in handling its domestic problems under the "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" principle established by the United Nations Security Council and through an inclusive and united political solution.

Indeed, much of the woes the Syrian people have endured in recent years stem from the interference in the country's affairs by the United States and other Western countries with the intention of seeking regime change in Syria through waging military intervention and proxy wars.

Syria and its people have had to bear the dire consequences of that meddling. Not only has the country been thrown into the abyss of turmoil, it has also become a haven for Islamic State terrorists and afflicted with humanitarian disasters.

Hence, as Wang stressed, to solve the crisis in the country, the illusion of regime change should be discarded and economic sanctions should be lifted as it is the only way to help the Middle East country out of its humanitarian crisis.

The world community also needs to recognize the sacrifice and contribution Syria has made in combating terrorism, and oppose the applying of a double standard in the fight against terrorism. To this end, China will continue to throw its weight behind Syria's anti-terror efforts and push for international cooperation.

China's stance toward Syria is in stark contrast to that of some Western countries. Countries such as the US have brutally trampled the sovereignty and dignity of countries in the Middle East, such as Syria and Iraq, under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

While China's solutions to address the Syria crisis display fairness and justice, the policies of Western countries are permeated with self-serving calculation, with no regard to the well-being of people in the region.

No wonder, China has harvested friendship and deepened its cooperation with various countries in the Middle East in recent years while the US has seen its popularity and clout in the region waning day by day.