On March 8, 2011, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Alain Juppe, exchanging views on bilateral relations. The two agreed to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, boost bilateral practical cooperation in various fields, enhance bilateral communication and coordination on major international affairs, and thus push forward the China-France relationship. Yang and Juppe also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East.