China's Foreign Ministry says that a Syrian opposition delegation visited the country this week and met with Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun.

It was the first contact reported by the Chinese government in the wake of escalating violence in the Arab country.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin.

"China is in contacts and communication with all the relevant parties in Syria, including the opposition groups. We are willing to actively push for peace and dialogue. We have done a lot of work to alleviate the situation in Syria. China is willing to maintain contacts and communication with relevant Syrian groups and make persisting efforts to peacefully and properly resolve the Syria crisis in the future."

Liu has also repeated China's call for reforms in Syria and a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country.

"The reasonable aspiration of the Syrian people for reform and protect their own interests should be respected. The Syrian government should fulfill their commitment to reform, start an inclusive political process that involves all the relevant parties as soon as possible, and resolve problems and disputes through dialogue and negotiation."

The Syrian army has resumed shelling in Homs. Scores have been killed since the army started an assault there last week.

The international community is struggling to find a way to resolve the crisis after Russia and China blocked a text drafted by Arab and European countries last week.

Deputy foreign minister Cui Tiankai says China has always been responsible and cautious, and has vetoed eight resolutions at the U.N. Security Council so far.

"Don't expect China to always abstain from the vote. When it comes to the occasion in which a veto is necessary, China will definitely do it without hesitation and please do not have any illusions about it."

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the Arab League plans to revive its mission to Syria, and has sought help from the UN.

Ban Ki-moon says Arab League chief Nabil el-Arabi also proposed a joint UN-Arab League observer mission, including a joint special envoy.

The AL mission in Syria collapsed last month amid escalating violence.