According to the China Foreign Ministry’s website, Zarif and Wang Yi held a meeting in New York on Thursday, one day ahead of the third ministerial-level meeting of the International Support Group for Syria there.

During the meeting, Iranian foreign minister said that Iran is committed to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation with China.

There has been progress on political settlement of the Syrian issue but differences still exist, said Zarif, adding that Iran is willing to maintain close communication with China.

China foreign minister for his part said that China is willing to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue.

Wang also said the ministers’ meeting is held at a critical time in the process of finding a political solution to the Syrian issue.

Despite progress made in the previous two ministerial meetings, much work still needs to be done concerning the integration of the opposition and identifying terrorist organizations, Wang said.

Noting the hard-won momentum of finding a political solution, Wang said China has decided to participate in the meeting after considering the overall situation and is willing to take an objective and impartial stance and to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue.

He hopes Friday’s meeting will help parties concerned to reach consensus on resolving the outstanding issues and to provide new impetus to the process of political settlement.