China and France discuss the Ukraine issue, coordination, and spillover effects

China urged parties concerned about the Ukraine issue to create the necessary environment and conditions to promote peace talks rather than fan flames, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when he had a phone call with French President's Diplomatic Counselor Emmanuel Bonne on Thursday.

Wang said one can't call for a ceasefire on one hand while using the other to continuously send advanced weapons, which leads to further escalation of conflicts. Claiming to support dialogue and negotiation yet imposing unilateral sanctions without limits should be avoided, Wang added.

Bonne said France attaches great importance to China's views on the current situation and would make concerted efforts with China to promote peace talks, achieve a ceasefire, and resolve the crisis.

France continues to show their commitment to creating and safeguarding peace by carrying out communication with parties concerned about the Ukraine issue over major affairs including Ukraine achieving neutrality and obtaining security guarantees, he added.

France upholds an independent foreign policy and will not fall into the logic of bloc politics, Bonne said.

In response, Wang said China supports France upholding the European Union's strategic autonomy and appreciates France's disapproving of bloc politics, saying that China also will not allow the resurgence of the Cold War mentality.

China also looks forward to an early ceasefire and the restoration of peace and has been making unremitting efforts to help this end in its own way, he added.

Noting that the root cause of the Ukraine issue lies in the imbalance of the European security, Wang said only by rebuilding a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security mechanism that lies in the principle of indivisible security, can Europe realize lasting stability and security.

The two sides expressed deep worries over the spillover effects of the Ukraine crisis. Wang said the international community should work together to prevent global food shortage and an eventual humanitarian crisis.

Bonne introduced France's initiative on tackling the global food security crisis and hoped France and China would strengthen their coordination in multilateral institutions, including the Group of 20 and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.