Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching Saturday in a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Damascus, killing at least one person, activists said. It was one of the largest demonstrations in the capital since the 11-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad began.

Several people were reported wounded and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces dispersed the protesters and were conducting a campaign of raids and arrests in the Mazzeh district.

The funeral procession in Damascus was held for three people killed by security forces on Friday following protests in the area. An activist in the area and the Observatory said at least one person was killed as security forces fired to disperse the crowds. The activist network Local Coordination Committees said two people died, but the report could not be immediately verified.

It said few people were wounded and several people also suffered difficulties breathing from tear gas.

The activist who witnessed the violence said the procession numbered around 15,000, making it among the largest anti-government gatherings in regime-controlled central Damascus since the start of the revolt inspired by other Arab Spring uprisings around the Middle East and North Africa.

"It was a huge funeral that turned into a protest," said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. "There was no fear among the participants."

Amateur videos filmed by activists and posted online showed a crowd of people shouting "Allahu Akbar," or God is great, and "One, one, one, the Syrian people are one!"

The Observatory said two other people were killed in Syria on Saturday, one in Homs who died from sniper fire and another in the north, who was shot by security forces conducting raids.

China changes position on Arab League plan

The fresh violence erupted during a visit by an envoy from China, which along with Russia recently supported Syria by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that would have condemned Assad's regime. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun called on all parties to stop violence that has killed more than 5,400 people since March of last year, according to the UN. China has sought to deflect some of the stinging international criticism over its Feb. 4 veto of the Security Council resolution with stepped-up diplomacy, following the example set by Russia.

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Thursday in favour of a nonbinding resolution backing an Arab League plan calling for Assad to step down and strongly condemning human rights violations by his regime. Russia and China vetoed a similar resolution in the Security Council and voted against the measure in the General Assembly.

After the meeting with Assad on Saturday, China said in a statement on the Foreign Ministry's website that it favoured a solution to Syria's violence within the Arab League framework and based on the group's proposals. This marked a striking show of support just two weeks after Beijing vetoed a UN Security Council resolution backing the league's plans.

The seemingly contradictory stances on the Arab League's proposals appear to reflect Beijing's desire for mediation but aversion to UN involvement that could lead to authorizing force as happened with Libya.

Chinese foreign minister calls for referendum support

It quoted Zhai as telling Assad that China was willing to work with the Syrian government and opposition, the Arab League, and Arab countries to find a solution.

"China supports all the mediation efforts by the Arab League to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis and calls upon relevant parties to increase communication and negotiations to find a peaceful and appropriate solution to the Syrian within the framework of the Arab League and on the basis of the Arab League's relevant political solution proposals," Zhai was quoted as saying.

Zhai also backed a referendum that is at the centre of the regime's plan to defuse the unrest, and said China was "extremely concerned" about the escalation of the crisis. The referendum would decide on the country's new draft constitution that would create a multiparty system in Syria, ruled by the Assad family for 40 years.

"China has no selfish interests," Zhai said, defending the veto. He added that China's "objective and just" position on Syria stemmed from its basic interest in the welfare of the Syrian people.

Zhai urged Syrians to participate in the planned referendum.

Assad's call for a referendum, set for Feb. 26, has raised the question of how a nationwide vote could be held at a time when many areas see daily battles between Syrian troops and rebel soldiers. The opposition has opposed the referendum.

Zhai said the referendum "would be in the interest of the Syrian people."

Only in light of stability could Syria conduct comprehensive political reforms, he said.