BEIJING, March 7. /TASS/. Beijing calls for dialogue and de-escalation in the Ukrainian conflict zone, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday.

"In the current situation, there is a need to exercise restraint, act rationally and promote a peaceful dialogue," he stated at a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress.

"This is a critical moment in terms of the crisis situation in Ukraine, [when the choice is] between restoring the peace process by finding a political solution and escalating the crisis situation by adding fuel to the fire," Qin Gang stressed.

He pointed out that unilateral sanctions and the West’s increasing pressure on Russia would not help improve the situation. He also expressed regret that certain counties "sabotage efforts to resume peace talks."

"China always draws its own conclusions and adopts an independent position, taking actual facts into account," the Chinese foreign minister emphasized.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier published a 12-point document containing proposals on resolving the Ukrainian crisis through political means. The plan particularly calls for a ceasefire, respect for the legitimate security interests of all countries, a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kiev and the rejection of unilateral sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council.