Damascus, Syria (Photo/China Daily)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the United Nations to scale up assistance in cash and in kind to the people in Syria.

The international community needs to actively support the Syrian government and its people in socio-economic reconstruction to create conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at the Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation.

Steady progress in reconstruction can give hope to the Syrian people and underwrite the long-term stability of the war-stricken country, Wu said, noting that the return of Syrian refugees can also ease the pressure on host nations.

He also urged the Syrian parties to put the country's future and the well-being of its people first by complying with relevant council resolutions, implementing agreements reached and advancing the political process.

The future of Syria can only be decided upon by the Syrian people without outside interference, the Chinese envoy said, adding that the international community should respect the Syrian government and people's efforts to safeguard national security and stability.

According to Reena Ghelani, director for operations and advocacy of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs, an estimated 11.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance across the country in 2019.