China calls for ceasefire in South Ossetia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-09 13:59

Georgian villagers leave their houses near the city of Tskhinvali, about 100 km (62 miles) from Tbilisi, August 8, 2008. Georgian troops, backed by warplanes, pounded separatist forces on the outskirts of the South Ossetian capital on Friday hours after launching an assault on the breakaway region following a short-lived truce. [Agencies]

BEIJING -- China on Saturday expressed "serious concern" over the escalating conflict in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, calling for a ceasefire.

"China is seriously concerned about the worsening situation and armed conflict in South Ossetia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a written statement.

"We call on the relevant parties to keep restraint and cease fire immediately," Qin said.

"We sincerely expect the parties concerned to settle the dispute through dialogue and safeguard the regional peace and stability."

Georgian armed forces traded gunfire with militants of South Ossetia near the regional capital Tskhinvali overnight Thursday into Friday, and South Ossetia said the number of fatalities is estimated at over 1, 000.

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