In Damascus, street protests and diplomacy NEW: Chinese envoy, Syrian leaders meet NEW: China is 'worried' about the crisis escalating NEW: Two people die at a Damascus rally, the LCC says NEW: Deaths also are reported in Homs, Daraa and Idlib (CNN) -- The tensions sweeping across Syria enveloped the capital of Damascus on Saturday, with security forces firing at protesters and a Chinese diplomat urging the country's leaders to negotiate with the opposition. At least two people died when demonstrators packed the streets Damascus to rail against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and mourn the deaths of three people recently slain by security forces. "Father of the martyr, raise your head high!" demonstrators chanted in the central neighborhood of Mazzeh. Security forces confronted the protesters with gunfire and tear gas, killing the two, said the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists. The regime's security forces started a relentless crackdown on peaceful demonstrators nearly a year ago, a push that stoked a cycle of anti-government sentiment and continual clampdowns in cities across Syria. In recent months, more and more opposition fighters have taken up arms against the government soldiers, police and militia. World powers have deplored the violence but have been unable to stop it. The persistent unrest was the topic on the table when al-Assad met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun on Saturday. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said Zhai supports the regime's reform process, including a February 26 referendum on a draft constitution. But Zhai said, "we are worried about the escalation of crisis in Syria," according to SANA. I exchanged clear and profound viewpoints with President al-Assad about the Syrian issue. ... China as a friendly country to Syria is following with great concern the developments here," Zhai said, according to the Syrian news outlet. Zhai said China urged all sides "to sit on the dialogue table to reach a comprehensive political plan." I briefed President al-Assad on China's basic stance image over the Syrian issue. This stance is represented by calling on the Syrian government, armed men and the opposition to an immediate halt of acts of violence against civilians. China and Russia have vetoed attempts by the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian regime for what many countries call a massacre of civilians. Both nations have major trade ties with Syria, and critics of China say Beijing fears that condoning a resolution that could lead to regime change might one day threaten its own rule. The Syrian regime has refuted reports that his forces are targeting civilians, saying they are fighting armed gangs and foreign fighters bent on destabilizing the government. But the vast majority of accounts from within the country indicate Syrian forces are slaughtering civilians in its offensive on civilians calling for al-Assad's ouster and scoffing at the government's attempt at reforms. Violence was reported in other locations on Saturday. The LCC said one person died in Homs province and another was killed in Daraa. SANA reported the death of a law enforcement member was killed Saturday "and many others were wounded" in Idlib province. The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces killed one person in the Idlib town of Jabal al Zawiyah during raids. Security forces continued its shelling of Homs neighborhoods, including Baba Amr, a bastion of anti-government sentiment, activists said. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz, Yousuf Basil and Eunice Yoon contributed to this report