FOREIGN intervention aimed at dividing Syria has been rejected by China, which says that only the nation’s people have the right to determine its future. 

Beijing’s special envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan was in Damascus for talks with Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem and his deputy Fayssal Mikdad on Thursday on the latest developments in the war-torn country.

He described the discussions as “very good” and told a press conference: “We have reached an agreement regarding the proposed issues.”

Mr Xiaoyan reaffirmed China’s commitment to non-intervention in the country, saying that its internal affairs and politics should only be decided by the Syrian people.

“Foreign powers have no right to intervene or impose their projects on the Syrian people,” he told reporters.

He called on the international community to respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, rejecting attempts to sow division and the use of economic measures for political ends, particularly by the United States.

Mr Xiaoyan said more needs to be done to help Syrian refugees return home now the government has started regaining control of large parts of the country from jihadists. He urged foreign powers to offer humanitarian aid.