Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. China later announced that Li Hui, former Chinese ambassador to Russia from 2009 to 2019, would lead a delegation to Ukraine.
Li Hui, China's special representative for Eurasian affairs, will visit Ukraine and Russia next week. Photo: Weibo
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Friday that the purpose of Mr. Li's trip to Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany and Russia was to "negotiate with all parties on a political solution to the Ukraine crisis."
Mr Wang said Mr Li’s visit showed China’s “commitment to promoting peace and negotiations”. “It fully shows that China firmly stands on the side of peace.”
"China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in building further international consensus on ceasefire, stopping the war, opening peace talks and avoiding escalation of the situation," he added.
“We are all concerned about the situation and we all call for peace and a political solution… to the conflict,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who is also on a tour in Norway, of Li’s trip.
Mr Xi's phone call with Mr Zelenskyy last month, described by the Ukrainian president as "significant", came after China released in February a 12-point position paper on the war in Ukraine, calling for dialogue and respect for the territorial sovereignty of all countries.
Bui Huy (according to Xinhua News Agency, AFP, SCMP)
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