China says it supports all peaceful efforts to solve Ukraine crisis

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday stressed that China believes that all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis should be supported.

Addressing a question on the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland next month, Mao Ning said China attaches great importance to Switzerland organizing the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine and has been in close communication with Switzerland and relevant parties.

She reiterated that China always maintains that the international peace conference needs to meet the three important elements of recognition from Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties and a fair discussion of all peace plans; otherwise, the peace conference can hardly play a substantive role in restoring peace.

Mao said the meeting arrangements haven't met the three elements, making it difficult for China to attend the conference.

She noted that China's position on the summit is fair and impartial, not targeting any specific party and certainly not against the summit.

"Whether or not China participates in the conference is based solely on its own judgment of the conference, and we believe that all parties concerned can understand China's position," said the spokesperson.

Whether or not one supports peace should not be judged by individual countries or specific conferences, she said.

Mao said China sincerely hopes that the peace conference will not turn into a platform for confrontation between camps and that not participating in the conference does not mean one does not support peace. "Even if individual countries participate in the conference, they may not genuinely wish to see a ceasefire," she said.

Facts have proved that China has been the most resolute and active in promoting peace and negotiation, Mao said, adding that China has not sat idly by or added fuel to the flame, still less profiteered from the conflict.

She reiterated that China has made tireless efforts to promote a ceasefire and end the fighting, which has been highly appreciated by all parties, including Russia and Ukraine.