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China willing to open its pockets, but not borders, to Middle East refugees

Others argue that China is still a developing country that has done its job to help resolve crises in Syria and elsewhere

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Syrian refugee children play on swings in the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Photo: AFP

China will step up economic aid to help countries deal with the Syrian refugee crisis, but Beijing has no plan to provide shelter for refugees from the war-torn region, diplomatic observers said.

Their remarks came amid a contentious debate among mainland internet users over the past week about whether China should open its border to help handle the many thousands of people fleeing conflict in Syria and other Middle Eastern nations.

Refugee children hold up a placards seeking disused accommodation at the entrance to the Ministry of the Interior in Athens on June 23. Photo: AFP
Refugee children hold up a placards seeking disused accommodation at the entrance to the Ministry of the Interior in Athens on June 23. Photo: AFP

Foreign Minister Wang Yi weighed into the highly-charged discussion, pledging to help find a political solution to end Syria’s civil war.

“To solve the refugee problems in the Middle East, we must first and foremost accelerate the political settlement of the Syria conflict,” he was quoted as saying by a Chinese foreign ministry statement released on late Saturday during a visit to Lebanon.

To solve the refugee problems in the Middle East, we must first and foremost accelerate the political settlement of the Syria conflict
Wang Yi, Foreign Minister

“Refugees are not migrants. As the situation improves in Syria it is natural that the refugees will begin to return to their country”.

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