China is ready to maintain strategic communication with France, respect each other's core interests, and consolidate the strategic stability of the bilateral relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Lin made the statement in response to a press query about President Xi Jinping's state visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Xi arrived at the Paris Orly Airport on Sunday and delivered a written speech upon his arrival.
He attended a welcome ceremony held by President Macron, held talks with President Macron and jointly met the press, and attended and addressed the closing ceremony of the Sixth Meeting of China-France Business Council with President Macron on Monday. On Monday evening, French Macron and Madame Brigitte Macron held a welcoming banquet for President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan, said Lin.
Xi also held China-France-EU Trilateral Leaders' Meeting with French President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the spokesman continued.
"During the talks with President Macron, President Xi said he was delighted to pay his third state visit to France at the 60th anniversary of China-France relations. The precious 60-year journey of the China-France relationship will enlighten us on how to begin the next 60 years. The two sides should uphold independence and jointly prevent a new cold war or bloc confrontation. The two sides should continue to understand each other and jointly promote harmonious coexistence in a colorful world," said Lin.
"The two sides should take the long view and work together for an equal and orderly multipolar world, and pursue win-win cooperation and jointly oppose decoupling and cutting off supply chains. China is ready to maintain strategic communication with France, respect each other's core interests, consolidate the strategic stability of the bilateral relations, unleash the great potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, and strive for upward balance in bilateral trade," Lin continued.
The two sides should better synergize their development strategies, deepen cooperation in areas of traditional strength such as aerospace and aviation, and step up cooperation on nuclear energy, innovation and finance, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green energy, smart manufacturing, biomedicine and artificial intelligence (AI), said Lin.
Lin also said that China and France should accelerate people-to-people exchanges and continue to organize successful events including the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
China supports France in hosting a great Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to which China will send a strong delegation, said Lin.
China is ready to deepen cooperation with France in areas such as climate response and biodiversity, and also willing to increase dialogue and communication with France in areas including AI governance and the reform of the international financial system, Lin said.
The spokesman also said that the two sides issued four joint statements on the situation in the Middle East, on AI and global governance, on biodiversity and oceans, and on agricultural exchanges and cooperation. Close to 20 bilateral cooperation documents were signed in such areas as green development, aviation, agrifood, commerce and people-to-people exchanges.
"In the trilateral leaders' meeting of China, France, the European Union (EU), President Xi noted that China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective. As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, China and the EU, as two important forces, should continue to see each other as partners, stay committed to dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, build strategic consensus, carry out strategic coordination, work for steady and sound growth of China-EU ties, and continue making new contributions to world peace and development," said Lin.
"China-EU relations enjoy strong endogenous driving force and bright prospects of development. This relationship does not target any third party, nor should it be dependent on or dictated by any third party. It is hoped that the EU institutions will develop the right perception of China and adopt a positive China policy. China-EU cooperation is in essence complementary and mutually beneficial. The two sides have extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation in green and digital transition. It is necessary that the two sides properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and accommodate each other's legitimate concerns," said Lin.
President Xi also had an in-depth exchange of views with President Macron and President von der Leyen on international and regional issues of mutual interest including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Lin.
President Xi pointed out that China, France and the EU all wish to see an early ceasefire. China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should speak out for peaceful settlement of hotspot issues and contribute to a world of lasting peace and common security. China is willing to stay in communication with all relevant parties.
Spokesman briefs media on President Xi's state visit to France
