China has registered disapproval over Operation Odyssey Dawn, the military action launched by the U.S. and its European allies against targets in Libya:
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China “consistently disagrees with the use of force in international relations” and expressed “regret” over the Saturday attacks.
In a statement posted on the ministry’s website, Jiang said China “hopes the situation in Libya resumes stability as soon as possible” in order to avoid escalation of a military conflict.
China was among five countries that abstained from Thursday’s vote on the U.N. resolution to allow “all necessary measures” to stop Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. It was approved with the backing of the United States, France and Britain.
The strikes marked a sharp escalation in the international effort to stop Gadhafi after weeks of pleading by the rebels, who have seen early gains reversed when his regime unleashed the full force of its superior air power and weaponry.
See also a Xinhua report. China abstained from the vote in the United Nations Security Council that approved the action.