Xi says China ready to enhance trust, deepen cooperation with France

Chinese president says that China and France have a long history of mutual appreciation

PARIS:

China is ready to consolidate traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, build strategic consensus and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields with France via visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a written speech on Sunday upon his arrival in Paris for a state visit.

“It gives me great pleasure to begin my third state visit to the French Republic at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. Back in 2014 and 2019, I paid two visits to France, both in spring, to celebrate the 50th and 55th anniversaries of our diplomatic relations together with the people of France,” he said.

The Chinese president said that China and France have a long history of mutual appreciation and admiration as important representatives of Eastern and Western civilisations.

“Sixty years ago, our two countries broke through Cold War blocs and established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. In the 60 years since, our bilateral relations have always stayed abreast of China’s relations with Western countries, setting a prime example for countries with different social systems to coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation,” he added.

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He said that the relationship between the two nations has risen to new heights in recent years. “We keep making new progress in our cooperation on aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agrifood and green development. Our two countries enjoy close coordination and cooperation on climate response, biodiversity protection and global governance. Activities of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism are unfolding across the board. A growing China-France relationship not only brings benefits to our two peoples, but also provides stability and positive energy to the turbulent world.”

During his visit, Xi said he will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Macron on growing China-France and China-Europe relations under the new circumstances as well as major international and regional issues in the world today.

“I hope this visit will help cement our long-standing friendship, enhance political trust, build strategic consensus and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields. I hope our two countries will light up our way forward with the torch of history, open a brighter future of China-France relations and make new contributions to world peace, stability and development,” he concluded.