On March 10, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the latter's   request. The two sides mainly exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine.

Wang Yi said, the day before yesterday, the leaders of China, France and Germany held a successful virtual summit, during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine issue and promoting the development of China-European Union relations. We should work together to implement the important consensus   reached by the leaders of the three countries.

Wang Yi said, China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We hold that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, must be respected, disputes between states should be   resolved according to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and   addressed. We are willing to see an early ceasefire and cessation of war,   which is also the common aspiration of the international community.

Wang Yi pointed out, Russia and Ukraine have conducted three rounds of talks. Although there are still obvious differences between the two sides, with each round of negotiations conducted, the differences have narrowed a bit, the hope for peace has increased a bit, and the goal of ceasefire and cessation   of war will be a step forward. China hopes that the international community  will continue to encourage and support the talks between Russia and Ukraine   and create the necessary environment and conditions to this end.

Wang Yi stressed, China closely follows the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and has not only made great efforts to evacuate Chinese nationals but also played  an active role in evacuating citizens of other countries, especially   students. Having proposed a six-point initiative to prevent a humanitarian   crisis in Ukraine, China stands ready to step up communication with France,   so as to push the UN Security Council to reach consensus in this regard and   send a common message.

Wang Yi said, China always advocates prudent use of sanctions and opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law. All the countries in the world are in an indivisible   community. Amid a shaky global economic recovery, sanctions without limitation will undermine the stability of the international industrial and supply chains, aggravate the food and energy crises and harm people's   wellbeing in all countries. All parties should stay cool-headed and do more to ease the situation and prevent escalation of the tensions.

Le   Drian expounded on France's position on the Ukraine issue, saying that the conflict in Ukraine will have a negative impact not only on European security but also on the global order and world market. All parties should join hands to realize a ceasefire as soon as possible, take measures to avoid a humanitarian   crisis in Ukraine, and push for a diplomatic solution to the issue. France supports efforts to promote peace and hopes that the talks between Russia and   Ukraine will continue. France is ready to continue cooperation with China at the UN Security Council and contribute to preventing humanitarian crises and promoting diplomatic settlement.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue and agreed to make joint efforts to advance the negotiations on resuming compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which has entered the home stretch, so as to ensure the early resumption and effective implementation of   the JCPOA, uphold the nuclear non-proliferation regime and safeguard peace in the Middle East.