China Urges Syria to Implement Peace Plan

China on Wednesday called on Syria to heed a plan aimed at bringing peace to the conflict-ridden country, saying it was "deeply concerned" by the continuing violence.

The call came after the Syrian government missed a key Tuesday deadline to withdraw troops from populated centers, under the six-point plan brokered by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.

"China once again calls on the Syrian government to respond to the six-point proposal... and fully implement the commitment of the ceasefire and withdrawal of troops," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.

"At the same time, the Syrian opposition should also immediately stop fire and take practical measures to implement Annan's six-point proposal," he told a regular news briefing.

"Violence and conflict in Syria still persists and the toll of civilian casualties is rising. China is deeply concerned about this."

Annan's plan had originally called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from urban centers on Tuesday, and then a complete cessation of combat in the following 48 hours.

That 48-hour period is to end at 6:00 am Damascus time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

China gave its seal of approval to the Annan deal late last month after drawing international criticism for vetoing two U.N. Security Council resolutions on the crisis in Syria.

On Wednesday Liu said the political settlement of the issue had reached a "critical stage" and backed Annan's efforts.

"Special envoy Annan is making active efforts for the full ceasefire," he said, adding opposition parties should also lay down their arms and calling it a "rare opportunity" to defuse the Syrian crisis.

China has repeatedly urged Syria to honor its ceasefire commitment, after Damascus said this week it wanted guarantees from armed rebels before it pulled back its troops from protest hubs.