The 15-member United Nations Security Council's unanimous adoption of a resolution to strip Syria's government of its chemical weapons reflects the council's solidarity and points toward a diplomatic solution to the Syria issue, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after the vote on Friday.

He made the statement at the UN General Assembly's 68th session in New York.

"Neither Syria nor the Middle East region can afford another war," Wang said.

"In dealing with the Syrian issue, the Security Council must bear in mind the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, act with a sense of responsibility to the Syrian people, the world and history, and ensure that any decision it takes can stand the test of history."

Wang noted it was the council's first major joint action on the Syria issue in the past year and said China played a "constructive" role in the "tough" negotiations.

"We are firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any country, any group or any individual," Wang said.

"Whoever uses chemical weapons should be condemned by all."

Wang said the resolution establishes the "overall" objective of the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria and the roadmap for the follow-up work.

- Zhang Yuwei

(China Daily 09/29/2013 page2)