On the evening of April 14, 2017, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia. Both sides held strategic communication on bilateral relations, the Syrian situation, the Korean Peninsula situation and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Both sides expressed that the two countries will actively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state on developing China-Russia relations, and make every effort to well prepare for the recent series of high-level exchanges.

Both sides stressed that China and Russia enjoy solid strategic mutual trust, and will enhance strategic coordination in international and regional affairs as always.

As for the Syrian situation, Wang Yi said that Syria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected. It is imperative to make independent, impartial and professional investigation on the chemical weapons attack in Syria, and it is believed that the facts and truth will come to light.

As for the Korean Peninsula situation, Wang Yi said that preventing wars and turmoil in the Korean Peninsula conforms to the common interests of China and Russia. It is the common goal of both sides to pull all parties back to the negotiating table. China is willing to coordinate closely with Russia to cool down the Korean Peninsula situation as soon as possible and push forward the resumption of dialogues between relevant parties.

Sergei Lavrov said that Russia and China enjoy close high-level exchanges, increasingly deepened strategic mutual trust, and fruitful achievements from cooperation in various fields. Sergei Lavrov briefed Russia's stance and views on the latest Syrian situation and Korean Peninsula situation. The Russian side hopes to conduct impartial investigation on the chemical weapons attack in Syria as soon as possible, and push forward the resumption of dialogues between relevant parties on the Korean Peninsula issue. Russia stands ready to continuously maintain close strategic communication and coordination with China.