Paris, 7 May 2024 (TDI): President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in discussions at the Elysées Palace in Paris on the afternoon of May 6, according to local time.
During the bilateral talks, President Xi expressed gratitude for conducting his third official visit to France.
President Xi further emphasized that amidst a massive worldwide transition, it is necessary to prioritize autonomy, understanding, foresight, and mutual benefit for both countries. These principles encapsulate the fundamental ideas that influenced the establishment of their diplomatic partnership.
Furthermore, improving it by integrating novel aspects of the present time is advisable, forming a China-France alliance in the contemporary era characterized by mutual trust, stability, and commitment to fundamental principles while pursuing new opportunities and a deep sense of responsibility.
Moreover, Xi also said during the talks that Both parties should prioritize the preservation of their autonomy. And work together to prevent the creation of a new cold war or confrontation between blocs.
President Xi stressed China’s readiness to engage in strategic communication with France while expressing a commitment to respecting each other’s fundamental interests. The goal is to strengthen the stability of the bilateral relationship and tap into the significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Additionally, he cleared China’s stance. “China is prepared to increase its import of superior products from France and facilitate the implementation of the “French farm to Chinese dining table” method to achieve more tangible results,” he added.
In addition, he conveyed his optimism about France’s potential to increase the export of technologically advanced products with significant added value to China.
Moreover, the talks revealed China and France will collaborate in the areas where they specialize. President Xi emphasized that collaboration should be enhanced in emerging sectors like green energy, smart manufacturing, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI).
President Xi stated that China has fully liberated its manufacturing industry and plans to expedite initiatives to improve market access in the service sector, such as telecommunications and medical services.
Moreover, he also stated that China enthusiastically welcomes additional investments from French enterprises and expects France to provide a favourable business environment and consistent growth possibilities for Chinese companies investing and partnering in France.
President Xi stressed the importance of enhancing cultural exchanges between China and France, two significant nations with diverse cultural backgrounds. He called for increasing people-to-people interactions and continuing successful events such as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
Additionally, he urged for active collaboration in the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. China will continue to allow citizens from 12 countries, including France, to visit without a visa for short stays until the end of 2025.
Additionally, China aims to increase the number of French students studying in China to over 10,000. And plans to double the number of young Europeans participating in exchange programmes in China within the next three years.
During the talks, President Xi endorsed France’s hosting of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and plans to send a robust delegation. He also stated that “China is prepared to enhance collaboration with France in domains such as climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation in context to French hosting Ocean conference.
Throughout President Xi’s visit, numerous cooperation agreements were signed by both parties, further highlighting the potential and future possibilities of France-China collaboration.
France is committed to maintaining open communication and collaboration with China on global climate change, biodiversity conservation, and artificial intelligence. Together, they will preserve the principles of multilateralism, the UN Charter, and international law.
Both parties thoroughly discussed global and local matters of shared concern, such as the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
President Xi emphasized that the current global situation is far from peaceful. China and France, in their capacity as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should advocate for the peaceful resolution of contentious issues and make significant contributions towards establishing a world characterized by enduring peace and collective security. China and France will collaborate to promote a global ceasefire during the Paris Olympic Games.
Moreover, the two sides released four joint declarations on the Middle East situation. As well as artificial intelligence and global governance, biodiversity and oceans, and agricultural exchanges and cooperation. Nearly 20 bilateral cooperation agreements were inked in fields such as green development, aviation, agrifood, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
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