China calls for restraint in Ukraine crisis

Beijing hopes the parties related to the Ukraine crisis will keep calm, exercise restraint and avoid further deterioration of the situation, a Chinese envoy said Sunday.

"China is deeply worried about the recent escalation of the situation in Ukraine," Wang Min, deputy permanent representative of China to the United Nations, said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

The meeting was held upon Russia's request, as tensions rose in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russia militia seized local government buildings.

The new Ukrainian government has given pro-Russia protestors a deadline to disarm or face a "full-scale anti-terrorist operation" by the Ukrainian armed forces.

The settlement of the Ukraine issue involves the interests and concerns of all parties and should be considered in a "balanced" way, Wang said.

"Political and diplomatic channels should continue to narrow differences and to settle the issue within the framework of law and order," he added.

China will continue to support the international community in making constructive efforts to ease the situation in Ukraine, Wang said.