China rejects Zelensky's claim it is supplying arms to Russia

China's foreign ministry dismissed as "groundless" on Friday an accusation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the country had been supplying weapons to Russia.

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Despite maintaining close economic ties with Russia and Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine, China has issued statements affirming its neutrality and denies any involvement in the war.

Friday's disclaimer followed Zelensky's remarks at a press conference the previous day that China "was supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, while also analysing it at producing weapons on Russian territory.

China has never made lethal weapons available to any party to the Ukraine crisis, ministry spokes-person Lin Jian told a regular news conference.

"China's position on the Ukrainian issue has always been clear," Lin said. "It has been actively committed to promoting a ceasefire and ending the conflict, as well as encouraging peace talks."

China opposes any baseless accusations and political manipulation, he said, adding that Ukraine had said publicly that most of the components in weapons imported by Russia came from the United States and a Western nations. Meanwhile, Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies.

Zelensky's administration on Friday published an updated list of sanctioned entities.