BEIJING, Dec. 4 -- China hopes all parties in Ukraine can resolve disputes through negotiations and maintain social cohesion and stability, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Wednesday.

Protests broke out in Ukraine following a government decision to suspend the signing of the long-anticipated association agreement with the European Union (EU).

"We are following closely the developments in Ukraine and hope the international community can play a constructive role in this," Hong said when asked about the situation.

Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday rejected a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's government.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is in China on a four-day state visit.