China hails Putin's decision on Ukraine

China on Wednesday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's request to revoke a resolution authorizing the use of Russian military force in Ukraine.

"We hail President Putin's decision and other constructive efforts by the parties involved in the Ukraine crisis. We believe these efforts will work for a political solution," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing.

Hua's comments came one day after Putin asked lawmakers to scrap the March 1 resolution, which approved Putin's original request to use armed force in Ukraine until the sociopolitical situation in the country is normalized.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday unveiled a plan aiming at peacefully resolving the conflict in eastern regions, offering a unilateral ceasefire and calling on the rebels to lay down their arms and start peace talks with the government in Kiev.

"China supports the parties concerned to implement ceasefire consensus and step up dialogue and consultation on the basis of the April 17 Geneva declaration," Hua said.

The declaration, signed by the United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union, says all sides must refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions as part of initial steps to restore order in the country.

Hua called on the parties involved to seek a comprehensive political settlement and put Ukraine back on the track of stability and development at an early date.