China has again called for an immediate stop to violence in Syria and a resolution to the crisis under the Arab League (AL), a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday.

The Syrian crisis should be resolved under the AL, as this method is in accordance with the common interests of Syria, Arab countries and the international community as a whole, spokesman Liu Weimin said at a daily press briefing.

"China has paid close attention to the current situation in Syria and calls on Syria to initiate a tolerant and balanced political process to ease the situation," he said.

Liu said China expects the AL and Syria to strengthen their communication and coordination in order to properly resolve relevant issues from the perspective of the fundamental interests of the Syrian people as well as the peace and stability of the Middle East.

The international community should also provide help, he added.

AL foreign ministers on Thursday gave the Syrian government a 48-hour deadline to sign a protocol for an AL observers' mission to the country.

The AL said that if Syria refuses to sign the protocol, the Arab Economic and Social Council will convene on Saturday to discuss economic sanctions against Syria.