China supports all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of the “crisis” in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the United Nations General Assembly today, adding that promoting peace talks is an urgent priority.

“The essential solutions are to satisfy the legitimate security interests of all parties and build a balanced, efficient and sustainable security architecture.Wang said in his speech.

Russia’s strategic partner, China, has consistently kept its distance, criticizing Western sanctions against Russia but not actually supporting the Russian invasion.

In a surprise confession, Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that the Chinese leadership had concerns and questions about the situation in Ukraine.

Wang also stressed that Beijing will continue to seek “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, fight against “separatist activities” and take strong measures to counter any outside interference.

“Only by resolutely preventing separatist activities can we create a genuine basis for peaceful reunification. Only when China is fully reunited can there be lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait.“, he said.

On Friday, Wang held a 90-minute meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in New York. After the meeting, China accused the US of sending “very wrong and dangerous signals” to Taiwan.

Tensions around Taiwan escalated after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit there in August, followed by large-scale Chinese military exercises, and US President Joe Biden’s commitment to protecting the self-governing island.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters, AFP.