BEIJING, Jan. 12  -- China hopes for an early political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday.

Hong told a regular press briefing that China welcomes and supports the active efforts of all relevant parties in seeking political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, including intermediation mechanisms such as the Normandy dialogue and the Minsk agreements.

The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France will meet in Berlin on Monday to prepare for a leaders' gathering on Ukraine set for Jan. 15 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Representatives of the four countries have participated in the Normandy dialogue, an international intermediation framework for the Ukraine crisis.

"China hopes that relevant parties will reach a comprehensive, balanced and sustained political resolution at the earliest possible date," Hong said, adding that the resolution should take care of each party's interests and concerns.

Hong said China hopes for an early realization of peace, security, stability and development in Ukraine and the region as a whole.