China expressed hopes that the tensions in Crimea will be solved through dialogue and under the framework of law and order, the Foreign Ministry said.

When asked on China's stance on the Crimea tensions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the country continues with its stance in favor of political solution and called for regional peace and stability.

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"China hoped all relevant sides could find a political solution through dialogue and under the framework of law and order so as to safeguard the legitimate interests of all ethnic groups in Ukraine," Qin told a regular press briefing.

He added that China hopes that local social order would be maintained and that regional peace and stability will continue to take place.

Qin reiterated China's stance as Crimea is set to hold a referendum on March 16, which will finally solve the question of whether or not the people of Crimea would like to remain part of Ukraine or join Russia.

Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping and American President Barack Obama discussed the Ukrainian situation and exchange views on bilateral ties in a telephone conversation.

During the said telephone conversation, Xi told Obama that the Ukrainian situation is very complex and all parties concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint in order to avoid an escalation of the crisis.

For his part, President Obama also informed Xi of the US stance in the current situation in Ukraine, although the Xinhua report did not elaborate on the stand of the US.

Xi, however, stressed that all parties involved in the current crisis in Ukraine would resort to political and diplomatic means to solve the crisis.

President Xi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also discussed the Ukraine crisis in a phone conversation.

During their conversation, Xi told Merkel that as the current situation in Ukraine is very complicated and highly sensitive, and that various factors should be taken into consideration in the handling of the crisis.