A statement Tuesday from the Foreign Ministry said Li Huaxin had traveled to Cairo where he held “extremely frank and useful” talks with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby on Monday.

China along with Russia vetoed the UN resolution more than a week ago. They say it was called before differences in the proposal were bridged.

The veto drew widespread criticism, including from the Arab League, which has been pushing regional efforts to end 11 months of bloodshed in Syria.