2015年12月20日，中东研究所刘中民教授就中国对叙利亚政策接受香港《南华早报》采访，全文如下：

China Set to Invite Syrian Sides for Talks to Resolve Middle Eastern Crisis

But Observers Say China is Unlikely to do More Than Arrange Talks and Give Aid

China will invite representatives of both the Syrian government and opposition for talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on the weekend amid rising calls for Beijing to do more to help resolve the Middle Eastern crisis.

In remarks on Saturday that came after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing a road map for a political transition to end Syria’s conflicts, Wang urged the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia to step up communication in military action.

“All warring parties must stop fighting immediately. Those organisations and individuals that reject a ceasefire will find themselves on the opposite side of the Syrian people,” Wang said.

“We will invite representatives from the Syrian government and the opposition to visit China, continuing our effort to play a constructive role in facilitating talks.”

Calls have been increasing for China to put more effort into helping to resolve the problems.

Germany’s ambassador Michael Clauss said earlier that China could play a bigger role in the matter. Stability in the Middle East was in China’s interests, he said.

China has previously received the Syrian government and opposition for talks, but observers say China is unlikely to do more beyond arranging talks and giving humanitarian aid.

In his remarks, Wang also said the coalitions led by the US, Russian and Saudi Arabia should improve their communication and coordination, adding that China would improve intelligence exchanges and efforts to stop the financing of terror groups.

Wang Jian, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that compared with the US and Russia, China was not as decisive a power in the Syrian conflict.

“China does not have as strong an influence in the Middle East as the other UN Security Council permanent members,” the researcher said.

“But this also means China has no clear inclination towards either the rebels or the Bashar al-Assad regime ... Mediation might therefore be more easily accepted.”

Liu Zhongmin, a Middle East affairs expert from Shanghai International Studies University, said military intervention was impractical given China’s lack of military presence in the region.

“China would like to play a constructive role, but this must be in accordance with its capacity.”

来源：南华早报