Beijing is "deeply worried" about the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and the possibility of the situation spiralling out of control, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday.

It comes after the United States warned of consequences if China provides military support to Russia, something that Beijing says it is not doing.

During a speech, Qin said: "The pressures and attempts to contain China, coming from the outside, are getting stronger and stronger, they are getting worse and worse, posing a serious threat to China's sovereignty and security."

"We firmly oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, firmly oppose Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, and firmly oppose any external interference in China's internal affairs."

Beijing, he added, will "work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security".

Mainland officials have said it will publish a proposal this week aimed at finding a "political solution" to the Ukraine crisis.

Top diplomat Wang Yi had told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that Beijing was against attacks on nuclear power plants, opposed the use of biochemical weapons and was willing to work with "all parties".

Also on Tuesday, Beijing released a paper on the Global Security Initiative, President Xi Jinping's flagship security proposal which aims to uphold the principle of "indivisible security", a concept also endorsed by Russia.

The paper, first proposed by President Xi in April last year, lays out core concepts and principles around global security and peace, according to Xinhua news agency. (Reuters/AFP)
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Last updated: 2023-02-21 HKT 11:54