China voices firm opposition to use of force

BEIJING. China is firmly opposed to the use of force, calling for restraint at reported Israeli airstrikes on Syria, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.At a regular press conference in Beijing, Hua Chunying said, “We are firmly against the use of force and uphold the view that the sovereignty of any nation deserves to be respected.”Hua made the remarks while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting China as a guest of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang from May 6 to 10.Hua said China has noted related reports and considers the current situation as highly complicated and sensitive.“China is gravely concerned about the issue and calls for the involved parties to remain restrained and avoid any actions that might escalate the tension,” Hua said, adding that the involved parties should work together to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.Syria has deployed missile defense batteries toward Israel in response to the attack that targeted a Syrian army facility in the capital city of Damascus earlier on Sunday, according to media reports.Syria’s state media accused Israel of trying to give a boost to the Syrian rebels after their recent frustrations. The Israeli government has so far made no official comment on the reported attack.