French experts welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to their country, expressing optimism that it will enhance bilateral ties and widen prospects of cooperation and cultural exchanges of people from both sides.
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi started his state visit on Sunday. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and is of great significance in building on the past achievements and opening up new prospects for bilateral relations.
Eric Alauzet, president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, highlighted the rich history that both countries share and the role the two countries have played in promoting multilateralism.
"President Xi's visit to Europe, choosing our country once again, is not a coincidence. The friendship between China and France has a long and deep-rooted history, and it is highly significant. China, Europe, and France play important roles in defending multilateralism," said Alauzet.
Anne-Marie Sargueil, president of the French Institute of Design, believes President Xi's visit takes on added significance amid the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides, as China and France look to strengthen their cooperation mechanism. "It is a great honor to have the president of China visiting France. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, this visit not only commemorates the establishment of diplomatic ties but also looks towards the future. We can imagine that the outcomes of this visit will be realized, and the relations between the people and cultures of the two countries will become closer," said Sargueil.
"President Xi's visit to France and his meeting with President Macron is enough to convince us that we are not competitors, but partners. As he said, China and France work together to benefit not only our two countries, but also the whole world," said Sebastien Perimony, expert on global issues at the International Schiller Institute in France.
Xi's visit to bring new prospects in bilateral ties: French experts
China will always be a reliable friend and partner to Tajikistan, no matter how the international landscape may evolve, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Duschanbe on Saturday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, first conveyed President Xi’s cordial greetings and best wishes to Rahmon.
He said President Rahmon paid a state visit to China and attended the China-Central Asia Summit last May, the two heads of state jointly announced to establish a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future with long standing friendship, shared weal and woe and mutually benefit. This defined a clear goal for bilateral relations development and sent a positive signal to peoples of two countries and the world.
China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan in following development path tailored to its national realities and oppose external interference in Tajikistan’s internal affairs. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always be a reliable friend and partner to Tajikistan, said Wang.
For his part, Rahmon asked Wang to convey his heartfelt greetings to President Xi.
He said promoting relations with China is a priority of Tajikistan’s diplomatic policy. Tajikistan is committed to the one-China principle and upholding that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
Tajikistan hopes to have close high-level communications with China, enhance cooperation in trade, energy, mineral resources, transportation, agriculture, green industry, artificial intelligence and other areas, fight the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and continuously expand and strengthen China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic partnership, said the president.
Tajikistan is ready to closely coordinate with China and support each other at multilateral platforms, Rahmon said.
Wang said China actively supports President Rahmon’s four development strategies of energy, transportation, agriculture and industrialization.
China attaches importance to Tajikistan’s cooperation demands, and is dedicated to exploring cooperation in emerging industries to help Tajikistan improve economic development, said Wang.
China would like to deepen security cooperation with Tajikistan and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, he added.
China pledges to be eternal, reliable friend and partner of Tajikistan
