EU draft U.N. resolution on Syria could hurt stability: China

BEIJING (Reuters) - China warned on Tuesday that a European draft resolution asking the U.N. Security Council to condemn Syria would not defuse tension in the region, suggesting Beijing could block it if it is submitted for a vote.

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal circulated the draft resolution, which is supported by the United States, to the 15-nation council last week.

Veto powers Russia and China and four other non-permanent members have voiced concern about the draft, which rebukes Syria for its bloody crackdown against anti-government protesters.

"The stability of Syria has a bearing on the stability of the whole region," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing.

"The Chinese government supports Syria's efforts to protect its sovereignty and stability and we hope that stability and order in Syria will be restored as soon as possible," she added.

"In the current circumstances, we believe that the adoption of the U.N. Security Council resolution would do no good for the easing of tensions and stability in Syria."

China has said that the outside world should not interfere in Syria's internal affairs.

Apart from criticizing the Western air campaign against the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's government, China has kept a relatively low profile in the tumult across the Middle East and north Africa.

Analysts have said that China will carefully foster ties and trade with new governments across the region, while being sure to present itself as a steadfast friend, and oil customer, of governments that ride out the unrest.

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee and Sabrina Mao; Editing by Ben Blanchard and Robert Birsel)