Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday there must be a political solution to the crisis in Syria, following talks in Beijing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Li said China was seriously concerned about the refugee crisis in Germany and Europe but believed Europe had the ability to meet the challenge. China has repeatedly expressed opposition to the use of force to resolve the crisis in Syria, saying that a political solution was the only way out. "We need a diplomatic political solution," Merkel said. "It is urgent to find one. At least there are signs for a format of talks that will bring the necessary participants together." While China generally votes with fellow permanent U.N. Security Council member Russia on the Syria issue, it has expressed concern about interference in Syria's internal affairs and repeatedly called for a political solution.