UNITED NATIONS – A Chinese envoy warned Friday that more weapons on the battlefield will only protract the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
With direct negotiations now underway between Russia and Ukraine, there has been an increasing number of weapons on the battlefield with greater lethality and destructive power. This will only escalate confrontation and prolong the fighting, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
"It is not conducive to achieving a cease-fire and ending the war, and runs counter to the common expectations of the international community," he told the Security Council.
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"We urge all parties to actively forge an atmosphere conducive to peace talks by creating conditions and providing support. We also call on the parties to the conflict to work collectively toward de-escalation and a political solution, rather than persisting with military confrontations and attacks."
He rejected the US representative's smearing of China on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"Just now, the US Representative, once again, spread misinformation and smeared China. This is utterly unacceptable," said Geng.
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US attacks against China are not based on facts and are not for any solution at all. Rather, it is based on its own political agenda. It is utter political manipulation, he said.
China has never provided any lethal weapons to any party to the conflict. China has strictly controlled dual-use items. China firmly opposes any groundless accusation and political manipulation, he said.
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The United States bears a major responsibility for the outbreak and continuation of the conflict. And it has a responsibility to make efforts and play its role for an early ending of the conflict. China urges the US to concentrate on the ongoing diplomatic efforts and stop the boring blame game, said Geng.
