China's special envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan speaks during a news briefing in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 18, 2019. Xie Xiaoyan said here on Wednesday that a political settlement is the only way out for the Syrian crisis and all parties involved should unite their efforts to this end. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's special envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan said here on Wednesday that a political settlement is the only way out for the Syrian crisis and all parties involved should unite their efforts to this end.

"The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected and upheld. The future of Syria must be left in the hands of the Syrian people. Let them independently decide their own future," he told a news briefing at the Chinese embassy.

Xie noted that the process in the political settlement is gaining momentum, but there are still uncertainties in north Syria and the threat of terrorism remains.

The envoy said that he saw refugees are gradually returning to their homes and the issue of reconstruction is back on the agenda, which "needs immediate attention of the international community."

"We hope that all parties and players involved in the Syrian crisis will join hands and put their efforts together, try to maintain the momentum of the political settlement," he said.

Since the start of the Syrian crisis, China and Russia have consulted and cooperated very closely, and both countries have made tremendous efforts for the political settlement, he said.

Xie said he is in Moscow for the second time in a year to continue contacts, consultations and coordination with the Russian side.