China's top paper says Syria "safe zone" would not work

China's top newspaper said on Monday that a Turkish proposal for a Syrian "safe zone" under foreign protection for civilians fleeing intensifying violence there would not help resolve the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country.

China has repeatedly condemned any plan which hints at outside interference in the Syrian crisis or proposes "regime change". Both China and Russia have vetoed proposed UN Security Council resolutions intended to put pressure on President Bashar al-Assad. (Reuters)