China to host Syrian envoy

China is set to host a Syrian envoy of President Bashar al-Assad and may host members from the opposition in an effort to deflect criticism regarding Beijing’s non-interference policy and show that it is trying to help develop a political solution, Reuters reported. According to the foreign ministry, Assad’s envoy, Bouthaina Shaaban, will begin his visit on Tuesday and meet with Chinese foreign minister Yang Kiechi. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang stressed China’s call for “an immediate ceasefire and for the violence to stop; for the effective protection of civilians and to defuse the crisis through political dialogue.” Beijing has sent its own envoys to Syria and has already hosted delegations from both the Syrian government and opposition. China and Russia have endured severe criticism from the West as well as from many in the Arab world for vetoing UN resolutions to put pressure on Assad.