BEIJING, Feb. 7 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday called on the Syrian government and the opposition to hold a new round of peace talks as soon as possible.

Hong Lei told a routine press briefing that ensuring the two sides continue dialogues and persist in political efforts is an urgent priority.

"Everything is hard in the beginning," Hong said, stressing that the first round of talks is an important achievement with an ice-breaking effect.

He urged relevant parties to actively participate in the talks and play their roles to push forward the political settlement process.

The first round of talks concluded a week ago with "small progress," according to U.N.-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, who said he observed common ground during days of discussions.

Hong called on both sides to take Brahimi's words seriously.

Brahimi has called for a resumption of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on Feb. 10.