BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday afternoon held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron at the latter’s request. The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on China-France relations, China-Europe cooperation, and major international and regional issues of mutual concern.
President Xi recalled that during his visit to France last May, both sides agreed to carry forward the original aspirations of establishing diplomatic relations – independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation – and to infuse these principles with new relevance for the times.
China and France should maintain high-level exchanges and strategic communication to consolidate consensus, seize opportunities, and expand cooperation, he pointed out.
He encouraged deepening collaboration in traditional areas such as investment, aerospace and nuclear energy, while exploring new cooperation opportunities in emerging sectors including the digital economy, green development, biopharmaceuticals and the silver economy.
Xi also underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). Xi noted that China and France – both permanent members of the UN Security Council and independent major countries – are founding and constructive forces of the post-war international order.
He called on both sides to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in upholding the UN’s authority and role, safeguard international trade rules and the global economic order, and jointly promote genuine multilateralism.
“The more complex the international landscape becomes, the more essential it is for China and France to make correct strategic choices and to act as reliable forces for safeguarding international order, open forces for promoting global growth, and progressive forces for guiding multilateral cooperation,” Xi said.
The Chinese president reaffirmed China’s consistent view of Europe as an important and independent pole in a multipolar world, and expressed support for the European Union in enhancing its strategic autonomy and playing a greater role in global affairs.
China, he said, is willing to work with Europe to address global challenges and deliver outcomes that benefit both sides and the world at large.
President Macron emphasized that France-China and Europe-China relations are of vital importance and global significance. He reiterated France’s unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, noting that this position remains firm and unchanged regardless of how the international situation evolves.
Macron expressed France’s desire to deepen practical cooperation with China in economy, trade and investment, and to maintain the strong momentum in bilateral relations.
He voiced France’s readiness to strengthen communication and coordination with China on major international issues, calling for jointly fulfilling the responsibilities of the UN Security Council permanent members.
The French president stressed the need to prevent escalation and spillover of regional conflicts and called for joint efforts to safeguard peace and stability both regionally and globally.
Europe and China should further enhance dialogue and cooperation to protect shared interests, he added.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the Iranian nuclear issue.
