Xi calls for stronger China-France partnership for new era

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for efforts to steadily advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France for an equal and orderly multipolar world.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in the Chinese capital on the previous day.

With last year having marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides, Xi said he hopes China and France will continue to strengthen ties during the next "Jiazi", a 60-year cycle in the traditional Chinese calendar.

"China is willing to work with France and always proceed from the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries and the long-term interests of the international community, eliminating any interferences, and following the principles of dialogue on an equal footing and open cooperation so as to enable the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to advance more steadily and soundly in this new 'Jiazi,' fully demonstrate its strategic value and make new contributions to promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization," said Xi.

Macron is currently paying a three-day state visit to China at the invitation of Xi.

This is Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit following Xi's historic trip to France last year as part of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations.

Xi calls for stronger China-France partnership for new era

Xi calls for stronger China-France partnership for new era

Xi calls for stronger China-France partnership for new era

Xi calls for stronger China–France partnership for new era

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival