UNITED NATIONS – A Chinese envoy on Friday called for intensified diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis through a political settlement.

The Ukraine crisis drags on, causing too many casualties. To continue the flow of weapons to the battlefield will only exacerbate the risk of worsening the crisis and will not help de-escalate the situation and end the fighting, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

China supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine with equal participation of all parties to discuss all peace options in a fair manner.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN

China once again calls on all parties concerned, in a responsible manner, to intensify diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire and put an end to the fighting, so as to promote an early political settlement of the crisis and bring about peace, he told a Security Council meeting on weapon supplies to Ukraine.

The Ukraine crisis has complex historical and practical causes. In essence, it is a major outbreak of security conflicts in Europe, said Geng.

China is not the manufacturer of the crisis nor a party to the conflict. China has not provided lethal weapons or equipment to any of the parties to the conflict, nor has it done or will do anything to profit from the crisis, he said.

Pointing out that China's position on the Ukraine issue has always been consistent and clear, the envoy said: “We are committed to being an advocate for peace and promoter of peace talks.”

“China supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine with equal participation of all parties to discuss all peace options in a fair manner.”

China is ready to provide the necessary conditions for Russia and Ukraine to conduct negotiations, thus making unremitting efforts to achieve an early political settlement of the crisis, Geng added.