A Chinese diplomat on Thursday called on parties concerned to gradually create conditions for a final settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), said at a UN Security Council meeting on issues of providing weaponry to Ukraine.

Under the current situation, the world needs ceasefire rather than weapons delivery, dialogue rather than the escalation of conflict, and peace talks rather than bloc confrontation, said Geng.

He noted that more countries have put forward peace initiatives for the conflict and the voices of promoting peace talks have become stronger.

China expects parties concerned to respond positively to the rational calls of the international community, remain calm and restrained, avoid exacerbating tensions, strengthen contacts, build consensus and gradually accumulate and create conditions for a final resolution of the Ukraine conflict, he said.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, varied types of weapons have continued to flow into the battlefield in growing quantity, causing escalating numbers of civilian casualties and severe destruction of civilian facilities, Geng said, adding that cruelty and unpredictability of the conflict have kept increasing, which is deeply worrying.

China always upholds that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be maintained, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the reasonable security concerns of all parties should be respected, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis should be supported, he said.

Noting China has been in contact with all parties concerned about the Ukraine crisis and has been actively promoting peace talks, he said China is willing to work with other peace-loving countries to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the conflict.

(Cover: File photo of Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, addressing a UN General Assembly meeting in New York, October 12, 2022. /CFP)