BEIJING (AP) — China said Saturday that the West should be blamed for obstructing a diplomatic and political solution to Syria’s crisis because it advocated regime change, dismissing criticism by the United States and others that China and Russia have hindered peace efforts.

China and Russia have repeatedly used their veto power at the U.N. Security Council to block strong Western- and Arab-backed action against Syrian President Bashar Assad. Moscow is a key ally of Assad, and China cites its stance against military intervention.