Attempts to play up Ukraine crisis opposed

Foreign Minister Qin Gang expressed opposition to attempts to play up the Ukraine crisis, disrupt peace talks or impose sanctions to exert pressure when he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.

The pair held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, India.

Qin said that China is supportive of all efforts that are conducive to promoting peace talks and will continue to play a constructive role.

Lavrov said he appreciated China's objective and fair position, adding that Russia is always open to negotiations and dialogue.

Speaking of the China-Russia relationship, Qin said that it has maintained sound and stable development and established a paradigm for a new type of relations between major countries. The relationship has also played an important role in boosting unity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, he said.

Qin called on the two countries to maintain exchanges at all levels and further strengthen communication and coordination between their diplomatic departments.

Lavrov said Russia is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by their heads of state, maintain high-level exchanges and undertake good planning for cooperation in various fields.

When meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Qin said China and Australia should press ahead with communication at all levels, after the two countries resumed dialogue mechanisms in areas such as diplomacy and trade.

He called for more efforts to cherish and take good care of the positive momentum of a bilateral relationship that is improving.

The two sides should deal appropriately with their differences and address each other's reasonable concerns, Qin said.

A good Australia-China relationship is in line with the common interests of both sides, Wong said, welcoming Chinese companies to invest in Australia.

Saying that China is a key force in promoting world peace and stability, she expected China to play an important role in solving the Ukraine crisis.

Qin also held bilateral meetings respectively with India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.