Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu

Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Macron arrived in Chengdu on the previous evening for the second stop of his three-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi.

Upon their arrival in Chengdu, Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were warmly received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Welcoming them to Sichuan, which is known in China as the "Land of Abundance", Xi recalled his visit last year to France's Hautes-Pyrenees Department at Macron's invitation. Xi said he believed that Macron's latest visit will help further deepen his understanding of China.

The two presidents together visited the more than two-millennia-old Dujiangyan irrigation system, a major water conservancy project located along the Minjiang River which was built during China's Warring States period (475-221 BC) and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Xi noted that the Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's only ancient irrigation project still in operation today, and also one of the earliest successful practices of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, adding that its construction process fully reflects the Chinese nation's spirit of constant self-improvement, fearlessness in the face of hardships, and courage to forge ahead.

Macron is set to conclude his state visit to China later on Friday, after having held talks with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing before traveling to Chengdu late on Thursday.

The French president is currently embarking on his fourth state visit to the country, with this being a reciprocal visit following President Xi's historic trip to France last year which came as the two sides marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The city of Chengdu 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.

Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu

Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu

Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu

Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu

China and Russia have agreed to resolutely safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II, safeguard world peace and security, and uphold historical truth and international justice, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

In response to a related media query, Lin briefed the press on the outcomes of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Russia and the 20th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation earlier this week.

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. The two heads of state attended commemorations in each other's country, and agreed to firmly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and resolutely oppose any retrogressive acts attempting to whitewash colonial aggression, sending a powerful message for upholding justice and fairness in the current era," Lin noted.

"During the recent China-Russia strategic security consultation, the two sides conducted strategic alignment on issues related to Japan, reaching a high degree of consensus. Both sides agreed to resolutely safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II won at the cost of lives and blood, firmly oppose any erroneous words and deeds that attempt to whitewash the history of colonial aggression, and resolutely counter any attempts to revive fascism or Japanese militarism. Both sides stressed that China and Russia, as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, will shoulder their shared responsibility to safeguard world peace and security, and uphold historical truth and international justice," said the spokesman.

"We stand ready to continue coordinating and cooperating with Russia to resolutely curb the provocative acts of Japan's far-right forces that undermine regional peace and stability and attempt to remilitarize," Lin said.

China, Russia agree to resolutely safeguard outcomes of World War II victory: spokesman