Chinese envoy calls for more diplomatic efforts for political settlement of Ukraine crisis

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Friday called on the international community to further strengthen the diplomatic efforts for the political settlement of the question of Ukraine.

"To find a fundamental and lasting solution to this question, it is important to address the legitimate rights and interests and concerns of all the ethnicities and regions in Ukraine," said Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, at a Security Council meeting.

It is also important to address the legitimate concerns of all parties concerned to achieve a balance of interests of all parties, he said.

"In February, leaders from Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine reached important consensus in Minsk on a political settlement of the crisis in Ukraine," he said, highlighting international efforts so far to find a political settlement.

"Later on, the Security Council adopted the resolution 2202, demonstrating the firm support of the international community to the diplomatic efforts of the leaders of the four countries for the political settlement of the question of Ukraine," he added.

Wang noted that China is open to the discussion of this question in the council and believes that such discussions should play a constructive role in improving the situation in Ukraine.

China has consistently opposed the involvement of the council in country-specific human rights issues and the use of unilateral sanctions or the threat of sanctions at will in international relations, he said.

Stressing that "China has always been objective and impartial on the question," Wang said "China calls on all parties to maintain calm and exercise restraint, fully implement of Minsk agreements, and consolidate the hard-won ceasefire so as to achieve peace, tranquility, stability and development in Ukraine."

"China will continue to play a constructive political role in finding a political settlement to this question," he added. Enditem