* China on Friday released a paper stating its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, saying dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.
* All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible to gradually de-escalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive ceasefire, the paper said.
* China opposes armed attacks against nuclear power plants or other peaceful nuclear facilities, said the paper, adding that the threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed and that nuclear proliferation must be prevented and the nuclear crisis avoided.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China has called for international efforts to create conditions for the resumption of peace talks to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
China on Friday released a paper stating its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, saying dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.
Empty shelves for cheap eggs are seen at a supermarket in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
China's call came on the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The crisis has caused many casualties, displaced numerous people, aggravated geopolitical confrontation in Europe, intensified global energy and food shortages, and undermined regional and international security.
The international community should stay committed to the right approach of promoting talks for peace, help parties to the conflict open the door to a political settlement as soon as possible, and create conditions and platforms for the resumption of negotiation. China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, said the paper.
All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control, it said.
All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible to gradually de-escalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive ceasefire, it added.
"One year into this conflict, there is still no prospect of a peaceful settlement. On the Ukraine issue, China's position boils down to supporting talks for peace. China's proposals reflect its consistent stance that it stands for peace and dialogue," said Ding Xiaoxing, director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
People walk past a damaged building in Mariupol, Feb. 18, 2023. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)
All measures conducive to easing the humanitarian crisis must be encouraged and supported, and parties to the conflict should avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the basic rights of prisoners of war, the paper said.
China opposes armed attacks against nuclear power plants or other peaceful nuclear facilities, said the paper, adding that the threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed and that nuclear proliferation must be prevented and the nuclear crisis avoided.
China has offered economic solutions to the woes brought by the Ukraine crisis, including facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, and keeping industrial and supply chains stable, said Li Ziguo, an expert with the China Institute of International Studies.
This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2022 shows the demolition site of a damaged building in Mariupol. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)
"The vast majority of countries hope for an early end to the crisis. China's proposals are in line with the general historical trend of peace and development, and serve the interests of people globally and, more importantly, the interests of Russia and Ukraine," Li said.
"Without a ceasefire, there are risks of intensified spillovers," said Li Yongquan, head of the China Society for Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies. "Released at such a time, this paper carries heavy weight as it's a document from a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council." ■
(Video reporters: Peng Zhuo, Zhou Xiaotian, Xie E, Zhang Mocheng, Chen Qiang, Meng Jing, Sun Ding, Hu Yousong; video editors: Zhao Xiaoqing, Wu Yuzhan, Peng Ying, Lin Lin, Liu Xiaorui, Zhang Zhihuan)
