China will not arm parties involved in Ukraine conflict, says minister

China’s foreign minister has said the country will not sell weapons to parties involved in the conflict in Ukraine and will regulate the export of items with dual civilian and military use.

Qin Gang was responding to concerns that China was considering providing military assistance to Russia, which Beijing has backed politically and rhetorically in the conflict while formally saying it remains neutral.

Speaking at a news conference with his visiting German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, Qin reiterated China’s willingness to help facilitate negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and said all parties should remain 'objective and calm'.