China is pursuing an active role in finding a solution to the Syrian conflict, as leaders of the so-called BRICs countries ended a summit meeting in the Indian state of Goa Oct 16 with a call for a resolution of the civil war.

The declaration, which called for an agreement that reflected the legitimate aspirations of its people and urged action against terrorist groups such as the so-called Islamic State, followed a bilateral meeting at the summit between China's President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at which the two leaders exchanged views on Syria.

For reasons of history and geography, China has tended to maintain a relative distance from the conflicts that have afflicted the Middle East in recent years. However, Beijing has been signaling a closer engagement with Middle East issues since Xi made his first presidential visit to the region in January, including trips to regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In forums such as the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia have over the years consistently pursued a policy of nonintervention in the affairs of other sovereign states unless it is at the request of the states in question, as was the case with Syria's appeal for military support from the Russians.

Beijing and Moscow have been increasingly wary since they allowed the UN to mandate a humanitarian no-fly-zone over Libya in 2011 which they believe was then misused by Western powers to legitimize military intervention in that country.

Since Xi's Middle East visit in January, Beijing has named its first special envoy for the Syrian conflict. The appointment of Xie Xiaoyan, a career diplomat, was described by officials when it was announced in March as an indication of Beijing's proactive engagement in helping to tackle a crisis that could only be solved by peaceful means. Among Xie's first visits were trips to Damascus and Moscow.

With continuing bloodshed in Syria's largest city, Aleppo, and elsewhere, and the near-breakdown of US and Russian efforts to secure a cease-fire amid mutual accusations between Washington and Moscow, the prospects for peace now appear even slimmer than when Xie was appointed.

On the ground, China has increased its engagement with the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. In August, Rear Admiral Guan Youfei visited the Syrian capital to mark 60 years of relations between the two countries and to reiterate China's support for Syrian independence and sovereignty.

Guan met Fahad Fahd Jassim al-Freij, the Syrian defense minister, and the two sides agreed to further Chinese involvement. On a visit that also included talks with a senior Russian officer in the Syrian capital, Guan highlighted China's active role in seeking a political solution.

In that context, China is defining its own policy on Syria that appears aimed at enabling it to play an active role of its own in an eventual Syrian settlement. While broadly supporting Moscow within the Security Council, China nevertheless abstained in a vote on Syria in September that Russia vetoed. Russia complained that the French-sponsored resolution calling for an end to the bombing of Aleppo was distorted and would provide cover for terrorists.

Venezuela was the only country to vote with Russia. China's abstention, rather than being seen as an attempt to isolate Moscow, could better be regarded as Beijing's contribution to an even-handed approach to cool the tempers between the main protagonists in the Security Council.

The author is a veteran foreign affairs commentator. Contact the author on harvey.morris@gmail.com. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily European Weekly 10/21/2016 page11)