China stays committed to political settlement of Ukraine crisis


China is willing to actively consider sending personnel to relevant countries again to communicate on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, said Li Hui, special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian Affairs.
Beijing "is willing to maintain communication with all parties in this regard", Li told media from home and abroad at a briefing on Friday in Beijing about his recently concluded Eurasian trip for mediating the lingering Russia-Ukraine conflict.
From May 15 to 26, Li, former Chinese ambassador to Russia and a veteran diplomat on Eurasian affairs, visited Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany, the European Union's headquarters and Russia.
"China will, in light of the development of the situation and the reaction of the international community, decide the direction of its work and concrete initiatives intended for the near future," Li said when asked about future steps Beijing will take for tackling the crisis.
According to a recent comment by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, Li's trip took place in order to "have extensive contact and exchanges with various parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, make clear China's position and propositions, listen to the opinions and advice from various parties, and build up international common understandings".
"At present, various parties may still face a lot of difficulties in sitting down at the table to negotiate, talk and yield due results," Li said.
"But it is important that people step forward to push for achieving consensus and formulating the largest common ground, and to accumulate and create conditions for the final settlement of the crisis," Li added.