JNN 16 Sept 2011 : China discourages foreign intervention in Syria’s internal affairs, saying any measure taken by the international community concerning the crisis in Syria should help ease the tension in the country.

China discourages foreign intervention in Syria’s internal affairs, saying any measure taken by the international community concerning the crisis in Syria should help ease the tension in the country.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, “We hope the international community will follow the principles of the UN Charter and give full respect to Syria’s sovereign independence and territorial integrity,” Xinhua reported.

She stressed that the key to resolution of tensions in Syria lied in the country itself.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the tension with Damascus complaining that the unrest is being orchestrated from outside.

“Whether the international community should take further action or not depends on whether the action will help ease the current tensions,” she noted.

The official, as well, urged that any such action “maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Since the beginning of the unrest, the United States and the European Union have imposed severe sanctions on Damascus over alleged application of violence against anti-government protesters.

Washington and the 27-nation bloc are now determinedly pushing to reinforce the sanctions, targeting the country’s oil sector.

Syria has vehemently denied reports of violence against protesters, saying the security forces have been given clear instructions not to harm civilians.

Damascus also says that the US-led sanctions are part of Washington’s effort to impose its policies on the region.