On March 27, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met with visiting Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the Arab League Kofi Annan. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the current Syrian situation and Annan's mediation efforts.

Zhang introduced China's principled position on the Syrian issue and said that China adheres to the objective, fair and balanced position on the Syrian issue and supports the UN to play a constructive role for a political solution. China supports Annan's mediation efforts, urges the Syrian government and all the relevant Syrian parties to actively collaborate with Annan and call on the international community to create favorable conditions. China will continue to support Annan's mediation, strengthen communications with all related parties and play a constructive role to push for a fair, peaceful and proper solution of the Syrian issue.

Annan described the mediation efforts he had made and thanked the Chinese side for its support. He hopes China continues to play an active role to seek a political solution of the Syrian issue.

On February 23, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi appointed Annan as the joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis. Annan used to be the UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006.