Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
Direct quote: "Recently, there have been calls for peaceful negotiations, creating an opportunity for peace. Although the positions of all parties are not entirely aligned and it is difficult to find simple solutions to complex problems, dialogue is preferable to confrontation, and peaceful negotiations are better than war.
China has always advocated for a swift and peaceful resolution of the "crisis" (war - ed.) and actively promotes peace and dialogue in accordance with the "four principles" proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace, including the recent consensus reached between the United States and Russia, and expects that the parties will find a sustainable and long-term solution that addresses their mutual concerns. China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the political resolution of the "crisis" (war - ed.) in accordance with the requests of the parties and taking into account the concerns of the international community, especially the Global South."
Details: Additionally, Wang Yi met with Russian representative Sergey Lavrov in the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Johannesburg on Thursday.
At the same time, in his G20 statement, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that countries "should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path and social system independently chosen by each country."
Direct quote: "We must insist on resolving disputes between countries and international and regional hotspots through dialogue and peaceful negotiations, refrain from confrontation between camps, and avoid interfering in the internal affairs of other countries."
Wang's statement came after American and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia this week without Ukraine's participation to discuss the issue of ending the war. The negotiations in Riyadh raised concerns that Washington and Moscow might reach a peace agreement on terms favorable to Russia.
Reminder:
- U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long threatened to cut American aid to Ukraine, has recently echoed Kremlin talking points, calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" and accusing Kyiv of a brutal full-scale invasion by Moscow.
- China has been one of Kremlin's key allies during its invasion of Ukraine, and Western officials have accused Beijing of providing materials and technologies to strengthen the Russian defense industry. China has repeatedly denied these allegations and insisted on its impartiality.
- Last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to deepen ties between their countries, building on a statement that both leaders signed just before the invasion of Ukraine, proclaiming that Sino-Russian cooperation has "no limits."