China calls for restraint, de-escalation of tensions amid risks of Ukraine crisis escalation

China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and China advocates for resolving the crisis through political means and avoiding escalation of the situation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on Friday.

Lin made the remarks in response to an inquiry to comment on reports that Russia fired a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine.

In the current situation, all parties should remain calm and restrained, work to de-escalate tensions through dialogue and consultations, and create conditions for an early ceasefire and a political resolution to the crisis, Lin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address, said Moscow struck a Ukrainian military facility with a new medium-range, hypersonic ballistic missile known as "Oreshnik" (the hazel) and warned that more could follow. He said civilians would be warned ahead of further strikes with such weapons, Reuters reported.