Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on China and France to demonstrate their responsibilities as major countries and make joint efforts to safeguard the banner of multilateralism.
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 to begin a three-day state visit at the invitation of Xi.
Xi noted this is Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit following his historic trip to France last year as part of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. "We both agreed to carry forward the spirit of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and to give it new contemporary meaning, thus opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. China and France are both visionary and responsible independent major powers, and constructive forces in promoting multipolarity and fostering human solidarity and cooperation," Xi told Macron.
"The world is currently undergoing rapid changes unseen in a century, and humanity once again stands at a crossroads. China and France should demonstrate their responsibility, uphold the banner of multilateralism, penetrate the fog of uncertainty, and firmly stand on the right side of history," said Xi.
Macron said France and China share a broad consensus on many issues and said that in the face of current global challenges, both sides should maintain dialog and deepen cooperation.
"Following my previous visits to Beijing and Guangzhou, both sides have decided to deepen bilateral relations in all aspects. The current international situation is complex and volatile, and the multilateral order is facing a severe crisis. Against this backdrop, maintaining dialog and communication between China and France is particularly important. We share broad consensus on many issues. As responsible major countries, China and France shoulder the mission of seeking common ground while reserving differences, building a pragmatic cooperation mechanism, and practicing the multilateralism we both uphold," said Macron.
Xi calls on China, France to jointly uphold multilateralism
Xi calls on China, France to jointly uphold multilateralism
Xi calls on China, France to jointly uphold multilateralism
Officials and business leaders from both China and the United States gathered in Berkeley, California on Friday to discuss the future of trade and investment between China and the San Francisco Bay Area, with many hoping to overcome the recent strain brought by the Trump administration's tariffs.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade hosted a business breakfast exchange meeting on Friday morning, with the council's chairman Ren Hongbin sending out a clear message of the vast economic potential which is there to be tapped into.
"The Chinese economy is very much innovation driven. And the strategic emerging industries, such as new energy, new materials, low carbon, aerospace, bio-pharmacy and the low-altitude economy, will generate a trillion-yuan level or even larger markets. So, I think that will provide enormous opportunities and room for China and U.S. companies to cooperate," said Ren.
He further stressed the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing as an example of an event where San Francisco Bay Area companies like NVIDIA and Apple were active participants and direct beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin said that against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, greater cooperation in the innovation sector is now more important than ever.
"The [San Francisco] Bay Area is home to many of the world's top tech companies and offers a sound innovation ecosystem. China has a super big market, rich application scenarios and a complete industrial supporting system. There exists tremendous potential for both sides to have more mutually beneficial cooperation by tapping into their complementary strengths," said Zhang.
Attendees did voice concerns over how the Trump administration's tariffs are impacting business.
With China accounting for nearly 30 percent of the Port of Oakland's total trade volume, the port's executive director Kristi McKenney stressed the need for greater stability and certainty.
"The tariffs in many cases were never actually implemented or were changed before they were implemented. So those linkages are a bit more challenging. I think the bigger issue will be certainty in the economy. And if there's lack of certainty, if we see economic difficulty, then you're going to see job losses," said McKenney.
Oakland's Mayor Barbara Lee said that it is very much business as usual, despite the recent difficulties.
"While we understand the challenges of tariffs, the exports and imports are still continuing, and our port is still a large containerized port doing business with China. And we're going to strengthen that relationship. We may have our differences on issues, on policies, but we here in Oakland understand that we're a global city and we believe the trade brings friendships, brings understanding, and also brings economic benefits to both countries," she said.
Chinese, US officials, business leaders meet in California to deepen mutual understanding
