China's hit out against western arms sales to Ukraine. Deputy permanent UN representative gen xiong has again criticized the sales, saying it would only lead to escalation more civilian casualties and displacement and make it harder to obtain a ceasefire and start peace negotiations. China says it does not and will not provide arms to either side in the Ukraine conflict, a point getting reiterated at a Security Council meeting on Thursday, China says it's a neutral party and wants to help broker an end to the 15 month old conflict, but has refused to criticize the invasion and blames the west for provoking Moscow. I'm Charles De Ledesma