Chinese, French foreign ministers hold phone talks over ties, Korean Peninsula

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, to discuss bilateral relations and the issue of the Korean Peninsula.

During the talks, Wang said China is willing to make concerted efforts with France to promote the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership toward the achievement of new development and add new connotations to this relationship.

He also expounded China's stance on the nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

For his part, Ayrault congratulated China on its successful hosting of the recent summit of leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, saying the meeting between the two countries' heads of state is also a success.

Ayrault voiced appreciation for China's firm stance on and responsible role in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

France stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on the issue, he noted.