Geng Shuang (Front), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a UN Security Council meeting on the question concerning Haiti at the UN headquarters in New York, on Oct 4, 2021. (CIA PAK/UN PHOTO/HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy on Monday called on relevant countries to take concrete measures to remove the obstacles facing Russia's grain and fertilizer exports, warning against politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues.

We hope that parties concerned continue to stay in communication, rebuild mutual trust, and find a solution that meets the concerns of all parties.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a UN Security Council debate on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

On July 22, Russia and Ukraine separately signed a document in Istanbul with Türkiye and the United Nations on grain and fertilizer exports from Ukraine and Russia to ensure supplies to global markets amid the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict.

Russia announced Saturday that it would immediately and indefinitely suspend its implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, accusing Ukraine of launching drone attacks against the Russian Black Sea Fleet's ships and infrastructure.

ALSO READ: Russia halts grain export deal with Ukraine

China has taken note of Russia's recent announcement on suspending its participation in the initiative, as well as the response of Ukraine, the UN and other relevant parties, Geng said.

An aerial photograph taken on Oct 31, 2022 shows a cargo ship loaded with grain being inspected in the anchorage area of the southern entrance to the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Cargo ships loaded with grain and other agricultural products left Ukrainian ports on Oct 31, 2022 despite Russia's decision to pull out from a landmark deal designed to ease a global food crisis. As one of the brokers of the grain deal, Türkiye has stepped up diplomacy with the two countries in a bid to save the deal. (OZAN KOSE / AFP)

The countries concerned must face up to and eliminate the negative impact of the all-round, non-discriminated sanctions on normal international trade, take concrete measures to solve the real obstacles facing Russia's grain and fertilizer exports.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations

"We hope that parties concerned continue to stay in communication, rebuild mutual trust, and find a solution that meets the concerns of all parties," he said, adding that China also hopes UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will continue to play an active role in this regard.

In July, the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia on the full access of Russian food and fertilizers products, including ammonia, to global markets.

Russia's grain and fertilizer exports are equally important to the international market, and the memorandum signed between Russia and the UN should likewise be effectively implemented, Geng noted.

READ MORE: China hails Russia's readiness to resume talks with Ukraine, US

"The countries concerned must face up to and eliminate the negative impact of the all-round, non-discriminated sanctions on normal international trade, take concrete measures to solve the real obstacles facing Russia's grain and fertilizer exports," Geng said.

He urged relevant countries to completely abandon the wrong approach of politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues.

"Dialogue and negotiation are the only realistic way out of the Ukraine crisis. Cold War mentality, bloc politics, division and confrontation, isolation and suppression will not bring peace," said Geng.