China said it hoped relevant parties would resolve the issue of Russia's suspension of the enforcement of the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty through dialogue, diplomatic and political means.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao made the remarks when asked to comment on Russia's suspension of the enforcement of the CFE.

On July 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had signed into law a decree suspending Russia's participation in the CFE treaty, saying the decision had been "motivated by extraordinary circumstances, which affected the security of Russia."

Russia had repeated its will several times to suspend the CFE when it was at odds with the US over US plans to install a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

Liu said China had noted Russia's declaration and its security concerns and hoped relevant parties would appropriately resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation to make joint efforts to safeguard regional and global security and stability.

China has always considered it harmful to the current international strategic balance and stability to deploy antimissile system, harmful to building up mutual confidence between relevant countries, Liu noted.

The CFE, signed by 22 states in Paris on November 19, 1990, represented an agreement between North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and Warsaw Pact countries. It was aimed at establishing a military balance in Europe by cutting weapons of conventional forces.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2007)