China calls for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. The United States, France and other countries have been carrying out punitive air strikes to protect residents in eastern Libya. These attacks are based on a resolution of the UN Security Council, which was passed last week.
However, recently Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu stated that China hopes all parties will cease fire and begin to resolve problems through such means as dialogues. Jiang said that the Chinese side opposes "the excessive use of force that causes more civilian casualties in Libya and a bigger humanitarian disaster."
US Secretary of Defense Gates rejected this statement, calling the casualty figures from Libyan leader Gaddafi's government, in his words, "naked lies."