New York, United States - December 03, 2024 China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Tuesday expressed support for the Syrian government as it combats terrorism and called on the international community to unswervingly uphold the direction of political settlement. At a UN Security Council meeting on Syria, Fu said China supports the "Syria-led and Syria-owned" peace process that allows Syrian people to determine their country's future without external interference. The persistent Syria crisis stems from a variety of factors, said Fu, adding that China has consistently held that political settlement is the only way out. He expressed hope the international community could earnestly respect Syria's sovereignty independence and territorial integrity. Foreign troops must end their illegal presence in Syria and countries should immediately lift unilateral sanctions on Syria, said the representative. "Here I would like to reiterate that terrorism is the common enemy of the international community. China supports Syria’s efforts in fighting terrorism, safeguarding national security and stability. The international community should stick to a unified standard with a zero-tolerance attitude, supporting and helping the Syrian government to eradicate threats posed by terrorism in its territory," said Fu. The Chinese representative highlighted that attacks on Aleppo and Idlib by terrorist groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have destroyed the overall peaceful situation in recent years. China is deeply concerned that this new round of conflicts has brought new trouble, he said. Fu also condemned occupation by armed "terrorist elements" in Iran's consulate general in northern Syria's Aleppo city. During the meeting, representatives of Russia and the U.S. criticized each other for supporting terrorism. Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said the U.S. has no courage to condemn terrorist attacks against civilians in Aleppo. He added he has no illusion about America combating terrorism. US Ambassador Robert Wood said the U.S. has been fighting against terrorism for decades and will continue its fight, adding that the Russian representative "is in no position to lecture us on this issue." Shotlist: UN Headquarters, New York City – Dec 3, 2024: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 1. United Nations headquarters; FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 2. UN logo; 3. Various of UN flags; UN Headquarters, New York City – Dec 3, 2024 4. UN Security Council meeting in progress; 5. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pederson speaking via vide link; 6. Various of meeting in progress; 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to United Nations: "Here I would like to reiterate that terrorism is the common enemy of the international community. China supports Syria’s efforts in fighting terrorism, safeguarding national security and stability. The international community should stick to a unified standard with a zero-tolerance attitude, supporting and helping the Syrian government to eradicate threats posed by terrorism in its territory."; 8. Meeting in progress; 9. Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya; 10. US Ambassador Robert Wood; 11. Meeting in progress; Aleppo, Syria - Nov 29, 2024 12. Various of buildings, Syrian flag on top of building; Hama Governorate, Syria - Nov 29, 2024 13. Various of burning vehicle on roadside seen from moving vehicle, road views. [Restriction - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use, No Access Chinese Mainland/Orient TV/Syria Alshaab TV/Zanoubia TV/Alhurra TV/ANN TV/Al Jazeera/ Al-Arabiya TV]