Wang Yi Speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Phone

On February 22, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the latter's request and exchanged views with him on the Ukraine issue and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Blinken briefed Wang Yi on the US views and position on the current situation in Ukraine. Wang Yi noted that China is monitoring the Ukraine situation closely, and emphasized China's consistent position on the Ukraine issue. He said that the legitimate security concerns of any country must be respected, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be upheld. What has happened on the Ukraine issue has much to do with the long delay in the effective implementation of the Minsk II agreements. China will continue to engage all parties according to the merits of the matter itself. The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating. China once again calls on all parties to exercise restraint, appreciate the importance of implementing the principle of indivisible security, and de-escalate the situation and resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation.

Blinken gave Wang Yi an update on US-DPRK relations. Wang Yi said that the core of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is the issues between the US and the DPRK. The US side should take seriously the legitimate concerns of the DPRK and take substantive actions. China advocates direct dialogue between the US and the DPRK, and China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

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