China on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya, saying diplomacy should be used instead to solve the crisis in the country.

"China does not agree with the use of force in international affairs and holds that disputes should be solved through dialogue and in peaceful ways," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular news briefing.

China hopes the international community can make joint efforts to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible so as to avoid a more severe humanitarian crisis caused by an escalation of the armed conflict, said Jiang.

Jiang also said the international community should help solve the crisis in Libya through political and diplomatic efforts.