Xi: China, France must overcome differences, enhance partnership

President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major countries with a tradition of independence, have the ability and responsibility to rise above differences and obstacles and keep to the overall direction of a comprehensive strategic partnership that is stable, mutually beneficial, enterprising and dynamic.

Xi made the remarks during talks with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He said both countries are firm advocates for a multipolar world and for greater democracy in international relations, and they could work together to practice true multilateralism for global peace, stability and prosperity.

Noting Macron’s visit is the first one by a European head of state after the full resumption of China’s exchanges with the world in the post-pandemic era and the successful conclusion of China’s “two sessions”, Xi said the visit will inject new momentum and bring new vitality to China-Europe relations.

Xi welcomed Macron’s state visit to China after a lapse of over three years. He noted over the past three years despite a changing and unstable international landscape, China and France have worked together to maintain positive and sound growth momentum in their bilateral ties.

The two sides have maintained high-frequency and high-quality strategic communication in a hybrid format, supported each other in the fight against COVID-19 and seen robust growth in bilateral trade and important outcomes from cooperation in aerospace, aviation, agriculture, food and other areas, he said.

The two countries have also carried out close communication and coordination on such issues as climate change, biodiversity and Africa’s development, he added.

Source: China Daily