BEIJING - China said on Friday that it is not acting as an "obstacle" for resolving the Syrian crisis, but is instead a "positive force" in promoting a political resolution to the issue.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a press conference when asked to comment on recent statements by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton regarding Russia and China's involvement in the issue.

Clinton said Thursday that Russia and China stand in the way of an international coalition against the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Russia, along with China, has twice vetoed UN Security Council sanctions against Syria.

Liu said Syria has avoided a full-blown war thus far largely because of the efforts of the international community, including China. He added that these efforts have brought forth new opportunities for resolving the crisis politically.

Liu reiterated that China has no expediency on the Syrian issue.

China has been committed to safeguarding the purpose and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, as well as maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and standing up for the fundamental interests of the Syrian people, he added.