Paris, 7 May 2024 (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping along with the French President Emmanuel Macron attended the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Business Council on Monday, during which he delivered a keynote address.
During the speech President Xi highlighted the long formidable bilateral relations between China and France. He also mentioned that 2024 marked 60th anniversary of Sino-France relations. As per the traditional Chinese calendar, a cycle lasts sixty years, connecting the past and the future.
President Xi, during the occasion said that the relationship between China and France has always set the standard for the relations between China and Western countries.
In fact, this demonstrates how countries with diverse cultures, systems, and levels of development may mutually support one another to achieve success. The alliance between China and France is mutually beneficial for the nations as well as the world.
Furthermore, he also mentioned that China and France have maintained a mutually beneficial partnership for 60 years. The levels of bilateral trade and investment have experienced significant growth from virtually non-existent levels. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the trade has grown exponentially.
Additionally, he also mentioned that the total bilateral investment has surpassed 26 billion U.S. dollars. Over 2,000 French enterprises have established a strong presence in the Chinese market.
President Xi also anticipated the future, according to him, “we are prepared to collaborate with France in addressing worldwide concerns”.
Currently, the world is experiencing an increasing lack of peace, development, security, and governance. China and France are sovereign nations and hold permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
Consequently, it is imperative for both nations to assume the obligations and duties in order to strengthen the stability of China-France relations. And mitigate the uncertainties prevailing in the globe.
To establish a fair and well-organized multipolar world, it is imperative that we enhance cooperation within the United Nations and offer greater leadership and assistance for global administration.
President Xi expressed that China and France should actively engage in genuine multilateralism, advance comprehensive reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Also, support the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system centered around the WTO, maintain an open global economy, and foster an economic globalization that benefits all and is inclusive.
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He further emphasized that China and France should encourage the international community to collaborate, support the objectives and principles of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, actively tackle climate change, promote global efforts to protect biodiversity, and work together to safeguard the Earth.
Lastly, President Xi concluded his speech by stating that, the stunning Seine River will host the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in more than two months. The Olympic Games represent friendship, camaraderie, and cross-cultural learning.
He further said that: “Let us uphold the objective that both of our nations set when they established diplomatic relations, strengthen our long-standing relationship, and live up to the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger-Together.”
