Chinese FM Wang Yi holds phone call with Venezuelan FM Yvan Gil

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday held a phone call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil at the latter's request.

Gil briefed Wang on the current domestic situation in Venezuela, stressing that the Venezuelan government and people will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and independence, resolutely defend their legitimate rights and interests, and will not accept threats from any form of power politics or bullying.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China and Venezuela are strategic partners and that mutual trust and mutual support are a long-standing tradition of China-Venezuela relations.

China opposes all forms of unilateral bullying and supports countries in safeguarding their own sovereignty and national dignity, Wang reiterated.

He stressed Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, adding that China believes the international community understands and supports Venezuela's position in defending its legitimate rights and interests.