China's Foreign Ministry has praised efforts by a United Nations envoy and Burma's military leaders to address last week's bloody crackdown on peaceful protests, calling their recently concluded meetings a "useful step."
In a statement posted on the ministry's website Thursday, China said it also made its own efforts to support the mediation between UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari and officials in Burma.
It did not elaborate.
China also noted that the situation in Burma was calming down now as a result of efforts by all involved parties in Burma and the international community.
The statement did not mention last week's bloody crackdown, night-time raids or detentions. China did, however, call on both the military-ruled government and protesters to show restraint.
China has yet to condemn the military government over its crackdown.
Beijing is one of Burma's major trading partners.
US lawmakers (including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) say Burma's neighbors, such as Thailand and China, need to become more involved diplomatically.
Both the US Senate and the House of Representatives are calling for foreign governments to pressure Burma's military government to exercise restraint.
