China is opposed to any attempt to stage a “colour revolution” in Syria, the Chinese foreign minister said as he wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East and North Africa, where Beijing is steadily increasing its influence.

“The practice of trampling on the sovereignty of other countries in the name of democratic transformation is unpopular, and staging colour revolutions and forcing regime change is even more harmful,” he said, according to a transcript published by the foreign ministry on Thursday.

Wang urged the US to lift its sanctions on Syria, where the economy is at risk of collapse after a decade of domestic conflict, even as the war winds down in much of the country.

“While the Syrian people are worried about the economic sanctions, some countries are talking about protecting human rights in Syria, showing only hypocrisy,” he said, adding that “the US and the West should immediately lift all unilateral sanctions and economic blockades against Syria” so that humanitarian aid channels could be opened up.

Wang said his trip was “to send a clear signal that China supports the Syrian government and people in safeguarding their sovereign independence and … opposes external interference and power politics”.

Tone and themes of China talks are changing fast.