China has expressed "deep" concern over the escalation of the protracted Ukraine war, urging western countries to "stop the firing" and warning of the possibility it could "get out of control". "China is deeply concerned that the Ukraine conflict will continue to escalate or even spiral out of control," Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Tuesday in a speech at a security forum in Beijing ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. "We are calling on certain countries to stop stoking fires immediately," he added, referring to the United States and its NATO allies.

The top Chinese diplomat also reiterated his country's willingness to help find a political solution to the smoldering crisis. Beijing will "offer Chinese wisdom for the political solution to the Ukraine crisis and work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultations, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security," he said. Qin also urged countries to stop blaming Beijing after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested China "might consider providing lethal support" ranging "from ammunition to the weapons themselves" to Moscow.

Beijing rejected the allegation on Monday and accused Washington of "spreading false information". "It is the United States, not China, that is endlessly supplying weapons to the battlefield," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Beijing has on many occasions criticized Washington for escalating the conflict by providing Ukraine with a large cache of weapons. Since the outbreak of war in February last year, the United States has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid. President Joe Biden pledged $500 million in additional military aid during an unannounced visit to Kiev on Monday.

Elsewhere in his comments on Tuesday, Qin called on Western countries to "stop emphasizing 'Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow'." "We stand firmly against any form of hegemony, against any foreign interference in China's affairs." China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the One China Policy, almost all countries in the world recognize that sovereignty. The US also recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island, but has long courted Taipei to unsettle Beijing. The US, which supports Taipei's secessionist president, continues to sell arms to the self-governing island in violation of its own official policy.