China expresses concern over conflict in east Ukraine

China on Tuesday expressed its concern over the situation in Ukraine's eastern regions and urged peace in the wake of intensified fighting in the region.

"China is deeply concerned about the large number of civilian casualties in the wake of intensified fighting in east Ukraine," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

Hua's comments came one day after the Ukrainian government imposed a state of emergency in Donetsk and Lugansk regions in the wake of intensified fighting.

"It is the common aspiration of the people around the world to want peace over war, development over poverty and cooperation over confrontation," she said.

China has continued to call for a political solution to the crisis and opposed any actions that might escalate the situation, Hua said.

Both sides of the conflict are urged to stay calm, restrained and avoid any continuing escalation of tensions, she said.

China expects the related parties to make use of the established political mediation mechanisms, start inclusive dialogue and seek a political settlement of the crisis, Hua said, adding China would like to play a positive and constructive role.

The Ukrainian government decided to impose a state of emergency following fighting between Ukrainian troops and independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine flared up over past days.

About 300 people have been killed during the violence since Jan. 12.