China said Thursday that relevant parties' words and acts on the Syria issue should help ease the tension in Syria.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a routine press briefing when commenting on the "Friends of Syria" conference on April 1 in Istanbul.

He added that China hoped the words and acts should help promote an early ceasefire and the launch of political talks, and safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East, instead of the contrary.

Delegates at the conference agreed to recognize the oppositional Syrian National Council (SNC) as the sole representative of the Syrian people.