BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday welcomed and expressed support for the second Geneva conference on Syria, urging all concerned parties to engage in the political process and make positive progress.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday announced that the Geneva II conference will be held on Jan. 22, 2014.

"It's important progress in implementing Resolution 2118 of the UN Security Council and pushing for a political solution on Syria, which has also been China's constant orientation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

The Syrian issue must be settled via political means, he told a regular press briefing.

China calls on all sides in Syria to take the interests of the country and the people as priorities, actively engage in the political process, work with the international community and prepare for the conference, Qin said.

China will also make its own contribution to that end, Qin said.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban said the conference is aimed at fully implementing the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012, including the establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers.

The UN chief said he expected that the Syrian representatives will come to Geneva "with a serious intention" to end the war that has already left well over 100,000 people dead and displaced almost 9 million others.

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