BEIJING - China maintains its opposition to any use of chemical weapons or military intervention in Syria, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Tuesday.

He made the comment in response to reports that western countries will prepare a tough response if the Syrian government deploys chemical or biological weapons.

China firmly opposes any country's development, production and use of chemical weapons, Hong said.

Our opposition to military intervention in Syria is consistent and clear, he said, calling on the international community to adopt a responsible attitude and adhere to a political solution to the crisis.

According to media reports, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Monday that France is in discussions with Britain and the US about the possible use of chemical or biological weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

Fabius said the response to such action would be "massive and blistering," adding that Russia and China "are of the same position."