BEIJING (Reuters) - China condemned the wounding of three of its U.N. peacekeepers during spiralling conflict between Israel and Hizbollah forces in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire in statements late on Sunday.

Three Chinese members of United Nations peace-keeping operations in southern Lebanon were injured when a Hizbollah mortar landed nearby. A Chinese officer was among four U.N. observers killed by an Israeli air raid in southern Lebanon on July 25.

"China is seriously concerned and strongly displeased," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said of the latest incident, according to the ministry website (www.fmprc.gov.cn).

"We urge an immediate ceasefire among the parties to this conflict with a return to the track of negotiations and a political solution as quickly as possibly," Qin said.

Earlier on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also called for an immediate ceasefire in a phone call to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the foreign ministry said.

"The (U.N.) Security Council should act as quickly as possible to prevent the conflict expanding," Li said.

China on Sunday sent a special envoy to the Middle East, including Lebanon and Israel, to urge an end to the conflict.