China on Friday reiterated that it supports all efforts conducive to peace and encourages direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will meet in Istanbul for their first peace talks in more than three years.

Addressing a daily news conference, Lin said on the Ukraine crisis, China's position has been consistent and clear.

China hopes all relevant parties will continue to pursue dialogue and negotiations to reach a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties involved, ultimately achieving a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis, he added.