Wang Yi on Ukraine crisis: China welcomes all efforts toward peace

The end point of any conflict is negotiation and China welcomes all efforts committed to peace, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while answering questions at the "China in the World" event at the ongoing Munich Security Conference.

Responding to a question about China-Russia oil and gas trade, Wang said the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era with the nature of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party.

China and Russia have normal economic and trade exchanges, the foreign minister added.

Regarding China's position on the Ukraine crisis, Wang said China has always advocated dialogue, consultation and political settlement.

China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis, yet China neither stood idle nor took advantage of the crisis, he said, adding that China has consistently called for resolving the crisis through dialogue and consultation.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported, Wang stressed.

To that end, China has actively carried out diplomatic mediation and launched a "Friends of Peace" group with Brazil and other countries of the Global South, the foreign minister said.

The development of the situation has proved that China's proposition is objective, fair, rational and pragmatic, and reflects the broad consensus of the international community, Wang said.

China welcomes all efforts committed to peace, including the peace talks consensus reached by the United States and Russia, he said, expressing his hope that all parties and stakeholders can participate in the peace talks process in a timely manner.

The Chinese foreign minister said Europe needs to play a role for peace, jointly solve the root causes of the crisis, find a balanced, effective and sustainable security framework, and achieve long-term peace and stability in the continent.