China calls on Israel to withdraw troops from Syria
China's representative to the UN called on Israel to withdraw troops from Syrian territory and respect its sovereignty after condemning Israeli attacks at a Security Council meeting on Thursday.
When international law and state sovereignty come into conflict with military action, the voice of diplomacy becomes especially important. China, speaking at the UN platform, reaffirmed its position: Syria's territorial integrity cannot be subject to bargaining, and the occupation of the Golan Heights contradicts international norms. As Syria tries to recover after more than a decade of war, any external interference only complicates the fragile process of returning to peaceful life. Beijing's call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops is not only support for Damascus but also a signal of the need to respect international agreements that remain the foundation of global stability.
Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN, stated that the Golan Heights are internationally recognised as occupied Syrian territory and that the parties concerned must implement the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israeli and Syrian forces. "China condemns Israeli attacks on Syria and calls on all parties to sincerely respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. The Golan Heights are internationally recognised as occupied Syrian territory. The parties concerned are obliged to implement the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israeli and Syrian forces. Israel should withdraw its troops from Syrian territory as soon as possible," Sun Lei said.
The Security Council meeting discussed the political transition and humanitarian situation in Syria, as the country is experiencing the largest movement of voluntary returns in more than a decade. According to UN data, since December 2024, nearly 2 million internally displaced Syrians and more than 1.7 million refugees have returned home, although humanitarian needs within the country remain high.
Sun said that Syria's transitional authorities should seize the opportunity to strengthen governance, carry out an inclusive political transition and accelerate economic reconstruction. He said this process should be initiated and carried out by the Syrians themselves, respect ethnic and religious differences and protect the rights and interests of all groups equally. Sun also noted that terrorism remains a serious threat and called on Syria's transitional authorities to take decisive action against all international terrorist organisations listed by the Security Council.
The Golan Heights were captured by Israel during the 1967 Six‑Day War and annexed in 1981, a move not recognised by the international community. The 1974 Disengagement Agreement, signed by Israel and Syria under UN mediation, established a disengagement zone and a UN‑supervised buffer zone. In recent years, especially after the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Israel has repeatedly struck Syrian territory, citing threats from Iranian forces and Hezbollah. China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, consistently advocates for a political settlement and respect for international law. After more than a decade of conflict, Sun said, Syrians do not want their country to be drawn back into war, adding that stability in Syria would help improve the overall situation in the Middle East.
As CCTV+ reports, China's position on the Golan Heights remains unchanged: respect for Syria's sovereignty and the implementation of international agreements are the basis for peace in the region. The return of Syrians to their homes and the beginning of the country's reconstruction require not only humanitarian aid but also political stability, which cannot be achieved without an end to external military presence. China is ready to work with the international community to help Syria achieve security and development and to promote the earliest possible return of peace and stability to the Middle East.
