Beijing, 21 November 2023 (TDI): On Monday, Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, urged his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to uphold the long-standing friendship between China and France and take their relations to a higher level.
President Xi said in a phone call with Macron that both countries should honor the historical legacy, and remain true to the original purpose of establishing diplomatic ties.
And to advance the traditional friendship and and the China-France relations to a new level, as the year 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
President Xi also noted that since Macron’s fruitful visit to China in April this year, the two countries have quickly resumed exchanges at all levels and have seen steady and productive cooperation in various areas.
He also added that China is willing to keep high-level exchanges with France, and ensure the success of the next China-France high-level dialogue on people-to-people exchanges.
And to boost bilateral cooperation in fields such as education, culture, and scientific research, as well as enhance the friendship between the two peoples.
Xi also praised France’s active involvement in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the sixth China International Import Expo and said China is happy to see more French products entering the Chinese market and more French businesses investing in China.
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He added that China hopes France can offer a fair and non-biased business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in France.
Xi said that China is willing to enhance cooperation with France in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.
He pointed out that this year is the 20th anniversary of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and said that China and the EU should be partners for win-win cooperation in a complex and interconnected world.
He expressed his hope that France would contribute positively to the healthy development of China-EU relations.
He also emphasized that China and France have cooperated well on climate change, and said that the 28th session of the COP28 in Dubai will be the first time to review the Paris Agreement, evaluate its implementation progress, and direct the future of global climate governance.
He said that the Paris Agreement’s institutional framework, especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and nationally determined contributions, should be respected.
He also said that China is ready to cooperate with France to send a powerful message of jointly tackling the climate change issue, to ensure the success of the COP28.
President Macron said that he still remembers his fruitful visit to China in April this year and that he is happy with the recent exchanges and dialogues at all levels between the two countries.
He said that It is very important for France and China to keep strategic communication and cooperation under the current international situation and that the French side is ready to use the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between France and China next year.
As a chance to increase high-level exchanges with China, and enhance exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, and aviation, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The French president said that France wants to work closely with China on the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai and keep cooperating to deal with global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity conservation.
He also said that France is willing to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the EU and China in a spirit of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and cooperation.
The two heads of state discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and said it is urgent to prevent the Palestinian-Israeli situation from getting worse, especially the outbreak of a more severe humanitarian crisis.
They concurred that the two-state solution is the essential way to end the cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflicts.
They also agreed to stay in touch on international and regional issues of mutual interest and help to preserve world peace and stability.
