BEIJING: Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi said China will be a "force for stability" in the world during a speech on Saturday at a major security conference in Germany.
"No matter the changes in the international situation, China as a responsible major country will always maintain the continuity and stability of its major policies and resolutely stay a force for stability in a turbulent world," Wang said.
Foreign minister Wang's address at the Munich Security Conference, a gathering of 180 leaders and defence chiefs, followed a fresh appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for more help in his country's fight against Russian troops.
China says it is a neutral party in the conflict but has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its attack of Ukraine.
"China-Russia relations do not involve forming alliances, creating opposition or targeting third parties," Wang said.
"They are normal relations between two neighbouring major countries."
He added China opposes "pushing responsibility for the Ukraine crisis onto China".
"China has already done a lot of constructive work on Ukraine," Wang said. "We will continue to play a positive role."
Beijing initially pushed for a "political settlement" to the Ukraine conflict but its efforts have floundered in recent months after Western countries said it could enable Russia to hold much of the territory it has seized.
Wang also reiterated on Saturday China's stance on the Mideast conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of channels for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"We cannot allow this humanitarian disaster to continue," Wang said.
He called China the country with the "best record" of peace.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of China and Britain said Saturday they wanted to deepen cooperation after they met on the sidelines of the Munich security conference.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told UK counterpart David Cameron at the meeting that they should "strengthen exchanges and cooperation", state media in Beijing said on Saturday.
London, meanwhile, later said the pair had "agreed that the UK and China should continue engagement across a range of areas.
"This includes trade links; building on our existing cultural ties and links between our peoples; and working together to tackle climate change," it added in a statement.
During Friday's meeting, Cameron "unambiguously set out the UK's position across a number of areas of disagreement, including on human rights", said the UK Foreign Office.
Wang warned that the world faced challenges including "resurfacing Cold War mentality, rampant protectionism, and sluggish economic recovery", according to Xinhua. — AFP
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