China urges continued dialogue on Kosovo issue

UNITED NATIONS - China Friday called on all parties concerned to continue to push ahead with the process of dialogue on the Kosovo issue, so as to find a lasting solution to it.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a meeting of the Security Council on Kosovo.

"China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and understands the legitimate concerns of that country on the question of Kosovo," Liu told the meeting, noting that Security Council Resolution 1244 provides the essential legal basis for finding a solution to the issue.

"China has always maintained that it's imperative to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and within the framework of relevant Security Council resolutions, to carry out dialogue and negotiations to reach proper settlement acceptable to all parties concerned," he said.

The Chinese envoy said China appreciates the efforts of Serbia in seeking a political solution to the issue of Kosovo, and supports the continued efforts of Belgrade and Pristina to maintain and push forward the high level political dialogue and to implement the bilateral agreements that have already been reached.

Kosovo is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between Belgrade and Pristina. Serbia categorically refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, though most leading European countries and the United States have exchanged diplomats with Kosovo.