![\"Chinese](\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Chinese-Premier-Li-Keqiang-npc.jpg\")
<\/a>Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference after the closing meeting of the third session of China\u2019s 12th National People\u2019s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2015 [Xinhua]<\/p><\/div>Mar 15, 2015 – <\/em>China\u2019s premier reiterated Beijing\u2019s backing for Russian interests in Crimea, saying China hopes the Ukraine issue will be settled through dialogue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope there will be a negotiated settlement of this issue through dialogue,\u201d Premier Li Keqiang told an annual press conference after the conclusion of China\u2019s annual parliamentary session<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking for two hours before foreign and domestic media, Li said there were complex causes behind the issue of Crimea, and China hopes to see a political settlement through dialogue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope there will be harmonious coexistence between neighbors, and what we hope to see is that there will be the pursuit of common development and win-win outcomes between European countries and between all countries in the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ukraine issue has added to the complexity of the geopolitical situation and has affected the process of the global economic recovery. We still hope that this issue can be resolved via dialogue, negotiations and consultations,\u201d Li added.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for Crimea, there are complicated contributing factors. We also hope that it can be resolved politically via dialogue and hope that neighbors can peacefully coexist,\u201d the Chinese Premier said in\u00a0comments that were a strong public show of understanding from China for the Russian position.<\/p>\n Beijing has earlier stated its position on the crisis stating categorically that Western powers should take into consideration Russia\u2019s legitimate security concerns over Ukraine.<\/p>\n Ukraine and Russia now share a land border of about 2,295 kilometers.<\/p>\n