FM emphasizes dialogue in Ukraine crisis

China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role in the ongoing Ukraine crisis to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international community when needed to carry out necessary mediation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress, Wang said China believes to resolve the current crisis, countries must uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and respect and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

"We must adhere to the principle of indivisible security and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of the parties involved. We must settle disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiation. And we must keep in mind the long-term peace and stability of the region and put in place a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism," Wang said.

He said China believes the tenser the situation, the more important talks continue. "The wider the disagreement, the greater the need to sit down and have negotiation," he added.

Wang called for efforts to prevent a large-scale humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The Red Cross Society of China will send emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine soon, he said.