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Published: 14:31, February 19, 2023 | Updated: 18:16, February 19, 2023
Wang Yi: Ukraine conflict must not continue any longer
By Xinhua
Published:14:31, February 19, 2023 Updated:18:16, February 19, 2023 By Xinhua

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MUNICH, Germany - The Ukraine crisis is not what China would like to see, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Saturday, noting that everything China has been doing is to facilitate peace talks.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) when answering a question concerning China's stance on the crisis.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said as other parties, China is also concerned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict might be escalated and protracted.

ALSO READ: Wang: China keeping fair position on Ukraine

China is not a party directly involved, Wang said, noting that it did not choose to be a bystander or add fuel to the fire, still less exploit the crisis.

Wang called on MSC's participants from Europe to think about the questions of what efforts are needed to stop the conflict, what framework should be built to secure long-lasting peace and stability in Europe, and what roles should Europe play to achieve strategic autonomy

China will continue firmly standing on the side of dialogue and peace, he noted.

Since the second day of the conflict's breakout, Chinese President Xi Jinping had proposed to pursue a political settlement of disputes through dialogue, Wang said.

Despite multiple rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the peace talks ended without any result.

"We are not aware of the reasons behind it," Wang said, adding that it seems some forces might not wish to see a successful peace talk or an end to the conflict.

READ MORE: Chinese envoy calls for early end to Ukraine crisis

Those forces "do not care about the lives of the Ukraine people, nor the damage taken by Europe," Wang said, adding that, instead they have a larger strategic goal.

The conflict must not continue any longer, Wang said.

As President Xi puts it clearly: conflicts and wars produce no winner; there is no simple solution to a complex issue; and confrontation between major countries must be avoided, Wang said.

Wang called on MSC's participants from Europe to think about the questions of what efforts are needed to stop the conflict, what framework should be built to secure long-lasting peace and stability in Europe, and what roles should Europe play to achieve strategic autonomy.

People walk along a snow covered street, past anti-tank hedgehogs in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Feb 18, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Noting that the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine crisis is days away, Wang announced that China will publish a document on its stance of finding a political settlement to the crisis.

ALSO READ: China warns of risks of diversion of Ukraine-destined weapons

Wang said the document will reiterate President Xi's important propositions, which stressed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, that the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and that all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported.

READ MORE: Chinese envoy urges conditions for Russia-Ukraine dialogue

In the document, China will reiterate that a nuclear war must never be fought and cannot be won, Wang said, adding that China also urges efforts to ensure the security of civil nuclear facilities, stands against attacking nuclear power plants, and will advocate joint efforts to oppose to the use of biochemical weapons.

The more complex the situation, the greater the need to remain cool-headed and pragmatic, Wang said, stressing that China is willing to join hands with all parties to continue the efforts for realizing peace at an early date.

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