Beijing appeals for combined efforts to solve Ukraine crisis

China against sanctions; urges parties involved to narrow differences through political dialogue

Beijing opposes sanctions to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and wants joint efforts to find a political solution, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday, a day after the Crimean parliament voted to join Russia.

Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, speaking at a news conference, urged relevant parities to engage in dialogue "within the framework of law and order" to resolve their differences.