By The South Asia Times 

Beijing– China on Wednesday called for restraint and dialogue following heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, marked by Moscow revising its nuclear weapons policy and Kyiv’s use of US-made long-range missiles inside Russian territory for the first time.

Addressing a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the need for calm, negotiation and diplomacy.

“Under the current situation, all parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, promoting de-escalation through dialogue and consultation to reduce strategic risks,” Lin said

His remarks came in response to questions about recent developments following Ukraine fired a long range missile inside Russia:

Later, Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons.

 Kyiv fired US-supplied long-range missiles deep into Russian territory, a significant escalation since the war began in February 2022.

Reiterating Beijing’s stance, Lin said, “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear.” He urged all parties to focus on promoting de-escalation and to commit to finding a political solution to the conflict.

Lin assured that China would continue to contribute toward resolving the crisis, stressing its willingness to play a constructive role in fostering dialogue and reducing tensions.

Beijing has previously advocated for peace talks and proposed a 12-point plan aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of negotiations.

The call for restraint comes amid growing international concerns over the potential for further escalation in a conflict that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.