The Chinese Foreign Ministry has evaded a direct response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal to hold direct talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This was stated by the speaker of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, at a briefing on 4 August. The transcript of the press conference is published on the website of the Ministry.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry limited its statement to general statements about close ties with Ukraine.

Speaking about the Ukrainian leader's proposal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying did not give a clear answer but said that "China maintains close ties with Ukraine and other parties to the Ukrainian crisis."

At the same time, the foreign ministry ignored the journalist's direct question as to whether Xi Jinping would contact Zelensky.