China on Tuesday announced the appointment of its first special envoy for the Syrian issue. Experts believed it indicated a more active role of China in addressing conflicts in the Middle East.

The new special envoy for Syria is XieXiaoyan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing. Xie, 62, is a veteran diplomat familiar with the Middle East affairs, who had served as ambassador to Iran and Ethiopia as well as representative to the African Union.The appointment comes as the Syrian crisis stands in a crucial point after five years of turmoil.

At present, a cease-fire agreement has been reached and humanitarian assistance is moving forward, thanks to efforts of the international society. Peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition have also been restarted.

Against such backdrop, the global community should seize the historic opportunity to settle the Syrian issue, Wang Lincong, a researcher on West-Asian and African studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the People’s Daily.

The Syrian issue has become one of the most acute and complicated issues in Middle East, which is key to solving the European refugee crisis, combating terrorism and safeguarding regional peace, added Wang.

“The appointment demonstrates China’s stance on the Syrian issue, as well as its confidence and prospect to resolve the issue in a fair, just and reasonable manner,” the scholar stressed.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been playing a constructive role in the proper settlement of the Syrian crisis, Hong pointed out.

Li Shaoxian, head of the Arab research institute at Ningxia University, explained that China’s stance on the issue has been consistent in recent years, which is to respect the sovereignty of Syria, oppose external interference and let the Syrian people decide their own future. Political settlement is the only way out.

Since the very beginning of the conflict, China has realized that external interference could only bring catastrophic consequence to Syria and the region, so it vetoed four times UN Security Council’s proposal to bring an outside military presence into the country, Li further noted.

“Although some countries in the region failed to understand China’s choicesat that time, many Arab states now have realized that China truly cares about their national interests,” he explained.

Acknowledging that a political settlement is the only solution to the Syrian issue, Western countries that have been advocating regime change also started to make certain efforts, the scholar added. Li also noted that the appointment indicates China will expand its role in politically addressing the Syrian issue as some guessed whether the country will make a new move in the future.

Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and delivered a speech at the headquarters of the League of Arab States, stressing that China will not seek proxy, establish a sphere of influence nor fill the “vacuum.”

China is the only big country that seeks no “imperial interests” in Syria and the Middle East. With more recognition from local countries, China is expected to play a bigger role in the Middle East region, Li said.

Wang pointed out that the appointment will help accelerate the implementation of Resolution 2254 on Syria adopted by the UN Security Council. It will also enhance China’s coordination with Russia, the US and other countries to push the Syrian issue towards a political settlement.

Besides, a special envoy also means China will increase its mediation efforts among different sides in Syria, and new methods to advance the political reconciliation and transition on the basis of respecting Syrian people’s own choice, Wang said. He added that in the future, China may put forward new solutions based on the changing situation and increase its humanitarian aid to the country.

“By appointing the Special Envoy for the Syrian issue, China aims to better promote peace talks and negotiations, contribute Chinese wisdom and proposals, and enhance coordination with relevant parties more effectively, so that China can continue to play a constructive role in seeking a final proper settlement of the Syrian issue,” Hong said at the press conference.