China says it's willing to send observers to Syria.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters that Beijing was "willing to send people and join the work of the observers and the advance team".

"We will continue to play a positive and constructive role in facilitating a fair, peaceful and proper resolution on the Syria issue," Liu said.

He did not give details on how many observers China would send or on any financial contribution, saying that Beijing was still in talks with UN officials.

China is an ally of Damascus and has, along with Russia, vetoed UN resolutions which would have imposed sanctions on Syria. [AP]