BEIJING, March 6 -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held telephone talks Thursday with U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice on the situation in Ukraine.

During their telephone conversation, Rice briefed Yang on the U.S. view and position.

Yang, for his part, expounded China's principled stand on Ukraine's situation.

Yang stressed that the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic groups in Ukraine should be accommodated in handling the Ukraine issue.

It should be the top priority that all parties exercise restraint and strive to settle the crisis through political and diplomatic means so as to prevent the situation from being further aggravated, said Yang

The two sides also exchanged views on China-U.S. relations.