China calls for political solution to Ukraine crisis

China on Wednesday called for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, urging the parties concerned to implement the Minsk agreements and the heavy weapon withdraw plan.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a press briefing on Wednesday that China had always believed that a political resolution was "the only way out" for the Ukraine crisis.

Hong's remarks come after top diplomats from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine met in Paris on Tuesday to push for the enforcement of the Minsk agreements.

Leaders from Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine reached a series of agreements in Minsk on Feb. 12, including a ceasefire from Feb. 15. However, more than a week after the Minsk agreements, Ukraine's military continues to refuse to start withdrawing its heavy weapons from the front line in the east, as independence-seeking insurgents had not stopped attacking government positions.

Hong said China hoped that the parties concerned would strictly implement the Minsk agreements, push for a political solution to the crisis and bring peace and stability to Ukraine.