RIYADH, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to step up communication and cooperation on Syria with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), visiting Chinese special envoy Zhang Ming said.

China is willing to play a constructive role in pushing for a political solution to the Syrian issue, Zhang told GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani on Sunday.

Noting that China has attached great importance to the significant role that the GCC has played in regional affairs, Zhang said his country is willing to work hard together with the organization for a fair, peaceful and proper solution to the year-long political crisis in Syria.

Zhang reaffirmed China's six-point statement on Syria, stressing that China and GCC nations have all appealed for an immediate end to violence, effective protection of civilians, implementation of humanitarian relief as well as respect for Syria's independence, sovereignty, unification and territory integrity.

Al-Zayani said Arab countries take China as a real friend and have similar stances on Syria.

He expressed the hope that China and the GCC would work together for an early political settlement of the Syrian crisis.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Zhang also held talks with Prince Abdul-Aziz, the country's deputy foreign minister.