China welcomes former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the special envoy of the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League on the Syria issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said here Friday.

"China hopes that this move will help push forward political dialogue and find a peaceful and proper resolution to the Syria issue," Hong said at a regular press briefing.

The UN on Thursday named Annan as the special envoy for the UN and Arab League on the Syria issue.

(Source: Xinhua)