Xi calls for building brighter future of China-EU ties

China

Xi calls for building brighter future of China-EU ties

2025-12-04 15:06 Last Updated At：12-05 00:47

China and the European Union (EU) should work to promote and uphold the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and jointly create a brighter future in the next 50 years of bilateral relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when attending the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of the China-France Business Council together with the visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in the Chinese capital the previous day.

Noting the vast and dynamic potential of economic and trade ties between China and the EU, Xi called on China and France to work together to help strengthen China's ties with the EU as a whole. "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations lies in complementarity and mutual benefits, which can achieve a dynamic balance through development. Interdependence is not a risk and intertwined interests are not a threat. China and France should work to promote and uphold the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and jointly create a brighter future in the next 50 years of China-EU relations," said Xi.

Macron is currently paying a state visit to China at the invitation of Xi, with this being his fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit following Xi's historic trip to France last year.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Chengdu after Beijing trip

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Chengdu City, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday evening, marking the second stop of his three-day state visit to China.

Macron is on a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As a key hub in western China, Chengdu is renowned for its rich history and culture, serving as an important international transport gateway.

The city also has a long-standing relationship with France. In 1981, Chengdu and France's Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between the two countries.

This is Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit to Xi's historic state visit to France last year that marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The French president has maintained the tradition of visiting cities beyond Beijing. He traveled to Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province during previous visits.