China envoy embarks on shuttle diplomacy

China will send its special envoy for Eurasian affairs on a second round of shuttle diplomacy this week to promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, which has dragged on for two years.

The trip, kicking off on Saturday, will take Li Hui, special representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, back to Russia, the EU headquarters, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and France, nine months after Li visited these destinations with the same purpose.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, who announced the upcoming visit, said on Wednesday that the most urgent priority is to restore peace. "The sooner the peace talks begin, the less the damage is done," she told a regular news conference.

In February last year, China issued a paper expounding its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, calling for an end to the conflict.

All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible to gradually de-escalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive cease-fire, the paper said.

Mao, the spokeswoman, said China has never given up efforts to promote peace and facilitate talks.

The country had in-depth communications with Russia, Ukraine and other various countries, playing a constructive role in addressing the crisis, she said.

"China hasn't sat idly by or added fuel to the flame, still less profiteered from the conflict," Mao said. "There's only one goal China hopes to achieve, that is to build consensus to end the conflict and pave the way for peace talks."

The United States and other Western countries denied plans to send troops to Ukraine, after French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that sending Western troops on the ground in Ukraine was not ruled out.

Commenting on the reaction, Mao called for all parties to work to build up favorable conditions for a cease-fire.

China will continue to play its role, carry out shuttle diplomacy, pool consensus and contribute China's wisdom for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Mao said.