Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that China's Red Cross will deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine "as soon as feasible," praising his country's "rock solid" friendship with Russia.
China has failed to condemn or label Russia's invasion of Ukraine, instead urging Western countries to recognize Russia's "legitimate security concerns."
Wang described the origins of the "Ukraine issue" as "complicated" and "long-term," stressing that "three feet of ice does not build in a single day," to use a traditional Chinese idiom.
Rather than adding fuel to the fire and exacerbating contradictions, solving complicated problems demands "calm and rationality," Wang said during a news conference on the sidelines of China's annual parliament meeting.
He noted that China has already done some work to encourage peace talks and has been in contact with all parties throughout.
"China is willing to continue to play a positive role in promoting peace and communication, and is willing to collaborate with the international community to carry out required mediation when necessary."
China is willing to continue its own efforts to alleviate the humanitarian issue, and the country's Red Cross will give a batch of aid to Ukraine as soon as feasible, Wang added, without providing specifics. It was the first time the country has made such an announcement.
He went on to say that humanitarian action must adhere to neutrality and impartiality standards, and that humanitarian matters should not be politicized.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping just hours before the commencement of the Winter Olympics in Beijing last month, when the two leaders formed a broad strategic alliance aimed at opposing US influence, with "no 'forbidden' areas of cooperation," according to Putin.
The friendship between China and Russia is "rock solid," according to Wang, and the prospects for collaboration are promising.
"Regardless of how dangerous the international situation becomes, China and Russia will retain their strategic resolve and continue to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era," Wang stressed.
Chinese trade with Russia increased in the run-up to the Ukraine conflict, according to customs data released Monday.
In January and February, exports to Russia increased by 41% over the same period the previous year.
In the first two months of the year, this was the fastest rate among China's major trading partners, beating trade with the European Union and the United States.
Russia was also China's second-largest import source, since the country buys energy from its neighbor.
