Chinese, Russian FMs discuss ties, intl issues over phone

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday exchanged views with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on further development of China-Russia ties and high-level exchanges between the two countries next year.

In a telephone conversation, they also discussed the current situation in Syria and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang said that China and Russia have been keeping close communication over the Syria issue, adopting an objective and fair position, and pushing for the process of a political solution.

The Geneva II conference on Syria is set to be held in late January next year, and China is willing to strengthen coordination with Russia to keep the talks moving forward, he said.

China is willing to continuously participate in the process of destroying Syria's chemical weapons and work together with all parties concerned, including Russia, to make the process proceed smoothly, Wang said.

Lavrov briefed Wang on Russia's views about the situation and follow-up work, stressing Russia is willing to reinforce communication and coordination with China.

The two sides also agreed to make more efforts to restart the six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.