Fierce fighting broke out between Syrian security forces and armed groups opposed to the new regime in Damascus in Latakia and Tartus provinces in Syria on Thursday. The clashes have continually escalated and caused the deaths of a large number of local civilians.

The United Nations says it has received "extremely disturbing" reports of whole families being killed, and has called on the interim authorities to take "swift actions to protect Syrians".

Reportedly, Russia and the United States have asked the UN Security Council to hold closed-door consultations on the situation in western Syria. Considering Syria's former leader Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after his regime was toppled by multiple forces, with the backing of different parties, including the US, in December. That both Moscow and Washington think such a UN Security Council emergency meeting is imperative indicates the situation in Syria has become a matter of pressing concern. After more than 14 years of civil war, the Middle East country remains an arena for geopolitical games among major powers.

Relevant parties in Syria should protect the lives and properties of civilians despite their conflicts. The holding of a national dialogue is a key step in the political transition, for which a clear timetable should be set as soon as possible and implemented steadily.

The patrons of the various factions in Syria should realize that the Syrian people, who have long been mired in sufferings and hardships caused by war and chaos, are longing for peace and stability. The countries concerned should adhere to the common bottom line that Syria must not become a safe haven for terrorists, and another blasting fuse in the Middle East after Gaza.

At this critical juncture, it is important for the international community to provide constructive assistance to Syria. China supports the promotion of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, and the realization of a solution that meets the aspirations of all Syrian people through inclusive dialogue and consultations.

Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council represents the basic consensus within the international community, and provides important guidance for addressing the Syrian issue, as Chinese ambassador to the UN Fu Cong said in a recent UNSC briefing on the Syrian issue. China supports the United Nations and its special envoy playing an active role in this process, as well as the efforts of the Arab League to help Syria in its political transition and reconstruction.

The illegal unilateral sanctions on Syria imposed by the US, which should not have been imposed in the first place, have only aggravated the situation in Syria. If Washington really cares about the humanitarian situation in Syria, as it claims to, it should put an end to the harsh sanctions it has imposed on the war-torn country since more than 20 years ago.