Syria's chemical weapons issue mustn't be politicized: Chinese envoy

China

Syria's chemical weapons issue mustn't be politicized: Chinese envoy

2026-01-09 15:50 Last Updated At：20:47

China supports efforts to promote an early, thorough and comprehensive settlement of the issue of chemical weapons in Syria, said a Chinese envoy on Thursday, stressing that the issue must not be politicized.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, stated at a UN Security Council meeting on the issue that China supports Syria's transitional government in continuing dialog and cooperation with the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) towards settling the issue.

Sun said that China welcomes the latest progresses made in terms of tackling the issue of chemical weapons in Syria, including that the OPCW Technical Secretariat has set up an office in Damascus and carried out five field investigations in the country.

"The most important lesson in the international community's handling of the issue of chemical weapons in Syria is that it must not be politicized. The OPCW should uphold its technical nature, perform its duties strictly in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, advance its work in a fair, transparent and safe manner, and keep the States Parties to the Convention informed of the progress timely and fully. Investigations on alleged use of chemical weapons must be conducted in compliance with proper procedures, supported by reliable evidences, and lead to credible conclusions," said Sun.

He said that Syria should firmly oppose all forms of terrorism and prevent terrorists from obtaining, manufacturing and using chemical weapons.

To that end, China calls on Syria's transitional government to fulfill its relevant international obligations by taking all effective measures to resolutely combat all international terrorist organizations designated by the Security Council, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Sun said, noting that China resolutely opposes the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances.

Chinese vice premier meets Disney CEO

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company of the United States, in Beijing on Friday.

Noting that China's economy is deeply integrated into the world economy, Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the better China develops, the more benefits all parties will gain.

Ding said that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has outlined the blueprint for China's development over the next five years.

Ding vowed efforts to steadfastly promote high-quality development, expand high-standard opening up, and continuously optimize the business environment.

China welcomes enterprises from all countries, including Disney, to continue investing in China and deepening their presence, participate in Chinese modernization in a positive manner, and share China's opportunities to achieve greater development, Ding said.

Iger said Disney is confident in China's development, and will continue to expand its investment in China and better promote exchanges and cooperation between the United States and China.