A Chinese envoy on Friday called for sustained efforts toward a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis while delivering a sharp rebuke to the United States for its "groundless accusations" against China.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine crisis, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, welcomed the recent progress between Russia and Ukraine, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of fallen soldiers' remains following their third round of direct talks.
China calls on the parties concerned to maintain the momentum of peace talks, continue to build consensus and enhance mutual trust with a view to reaching a comprehensive, lasting and abiding peace agreement, Geng said.
China, once again, urges the parties to the conflict to show maximum restraint, and comply effectively with international humanitarian law, he said.
China welcomes all efforts toward peace and encourages both Russia and Ukraine to continue to show political will and flexibility. All parties should jointly make practical efforts to promote the political settlement of the crisis, he noted.
China has always maintained an objective and impartial stance on the Ukraine issue and has been committed to promoting peace talks and a political solution. China will, as always, play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis, said Geng.
He pointed out that within a single week, the United States has made groundless accusations against China at the UN Security Council multiple times. This has proved that what the United States cares about is not maintaining international peace and security or promoting the political settlement of wars and conflicts, but rather using this council to attack and suppress other countries and engage in political manipulation to serve its own agenda, said Geng.
As a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States should be ashamed of and disgraced by its own words and deeds, and China urges the United States to change course at an early date and engage constructively in the work of the Security Council, he said.
He rejected the U.S. representative's accusation against China for the so-called export of dual-use materials to Russia.
"China did not start the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to it. China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict and has always strictly controlled the export of dual-use materials, including drones. We urge the United States to stop shifting blame over the Ukraine issue and creating confrontation, and instead, to make concrete efforts to promote ceasefire and peace talks," Geng added.
Chinese envoy urges political settlement of Ukraine crisis, rejects US accusations
