China expresses "regret" over punishing airstrikes by the U.S. and European nations against Libya to enforce a U.N. no-fly zone.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu says China "consistently disagrees with the use of force in international relations" and expressed "regret" over the Saturday attacks.
In a statement posted Sunday 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.