China opposes any movement that adds fuel to fire.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that Beijing would oppose any action adding “benzi to fire”, state media reported.

In a Global Times report, Wang Yi said he encouraged direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, adding that the crisis can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.

That was the second phone conversation between two officials in two weeks.

The crisis has presented a major challenge for China, which has not yet condemned or adopted Russia's attack, while Beijing does not want to be seen supporting the war in Europe, it also wants to strengthen military and strategic ties with Moscow.

Wang also called for the US, NATO and the European Union to hold “direct talks with Russia and to accept Moscow's security concerns about expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the report said. / BBC/