BEIJING, March 6 -- China on Thursday asked for respect and consideration of the legal rights of all ethnic groups in Ukraine.

Asked about China's position on the Ukraine crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reiterated China's support for settling the crisis through political and diplomatic channels.

The concerns of all parties should be addressed, he told a routine press briefing.

Qin said China's decision making regarding Ukraine is based on a principled stance, the context of the issue, and the rights and wrongs of the conflict.

Earlier he said China always abides by the principle of non-interference in any country's internal affairs and respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.