China welcomes efforts to resolve Ukraine crisis

BEIJING -- China on Friday welcomed all mediation attempts to solve the crisis in Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments in response to a question about efforts by French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to mediate on the crisis.

Hollande and Merkel visited Kiev on Thursday seeking a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis as the conflict between government troops and pro-Russian forces escalates. The two head for Moscow on Friday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We hope all parties concerned will seek a peaceful end to the crisis, and reach a lasting solution as soon as possible," Hong told a daily press briefing.

China calls for peace, security, stability and development in Ukraine at an early date, he said.

China has always advocated political settlement to the crisis and peace talks to this end, Hong added.