UNITED NATIONS - China on Tuesday called for restraint in Syria and urged the international community to comply with the UN Charter and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Middle East country.        

Li Baodong, Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, made the call after China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution condemning the Syrian authorities. The draft resolution, presented by France, Germany, Portugal and Britain, was killed because China and Russia, the two permanent members of the 15- nation Security Council, have the veto power.

"China is highly concerned with the development of the situation in Syria," Li said. "We call upon all parties concerned in Syria to exercise restraint to avoid all forms of violence and more bloody conflicts," Li said.

"Whether the Security Council will take further action on the question of Syria should depend on whether it facilitates the easing of tension in Syria, whether it helps the defusing of differences through political dialogue, whether it contributes to maintaining peace and security in the Middle East," he added.

"Most importantly, it should depend on the compliance with the UN Charter and the principle of non-interference," Li noted.