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FACEBOOK www.facebook.com Chinese Paper. Syrian Envoy Visit A New Diplomatic Effort Aug 16, 2012 2 In Beijing, China's top state newspaper voiced hopes that a visit by a government envoy from Syria would revive chances of a negotiated end to the country's troubles, while accusing Western powers of undermining the peace efforts of the UN. The People's Daily, which is often referred to as the mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist Party, ran an editorial on the day that Bouthaina Shaaban, an envoy of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, was in the capital for talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. China, the paper said, had invited her as part of a new diplomatic effort to promote a political solution to the conflict. Politicians from Western countries and the Arab world have been critical of China for joining Russia to veto three UN Security Council resolutions, that threatened Assad with sanctions or called on him to step down. China, meanwhile, has said it is simply trying to prevent more violence, and is opposed to outside interference in Syria's domestic affairs. Although former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan resigned in frustration as envoy to Syria earlier this month, China has continued to argue his peace plan - which calls for a ceasefire by all sides and an inclusive Syrian-led political process - offers the best chance of a solution. In its editorial, the People's Daily said that moves by Western countries towards imposing their own no-fly zone to help the Syrian <b>...</b>