BEIJING, May 9 -- China welcomes constructive efforts toward political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said here Friday.

Hua said at a regular press briefing that China supports the adoption of measures that could ease current tensions and push for political resolution of the crisis.

Hua made the remarks when asked to comment on Russia's latest effort to resolve the crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Russia had withdrawn an estimated 40,000 troops from the Ukrainian border. Putin on Wednesday also called on the militia in east Ukraine to postpone their referendum slated for May 11.

He said Russia will do whatever it can to resolve the crisis and has a positive attitude toward the peace effort by the international community.