Xi calls for 'China-France contributions' to win global COVID-19 fight
Updated 09:43, 06-Jun-2020
CGTN

Noting that the spread of the coronavirus across the world has not been effectively curbed, Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that cooperation is the only right way to win the global fight against COVID-19.

In a phone call, Xi stressed that the two sides should promote "China-France contributions" in the research and development of vaccines, strengthen support to the World Health Organization (WHO) and offer more help to African and undeveloped countries.

The Chinese president expressed willingness to keep close contact with Macron and called on the two sides to continue advancing the steadying development of their bilateral ties by conducting all-level exchanges.

The Chinese market is always open to France, noted Xi, hoping the two sides would enhance cooperation in all fields and create a favorable environment for business operation.

President Xi also pointed out that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners with extensive common interests.

China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with European countries and continue to voice support for multilateralism, he added.

In addition, Xi also vowed to work with Europe on climate change issues and the public health sector.

People walk at Trocadero Square near Paris' Eiffel Tower, May 16, 2020. /Reuters

People walk at Trocadero Square near Paris' Eiffel Tower, May 16, 2020. /Reuters

For his part, Macron said that France and China have carried out good cooperation and demonstrated solidarity in the fight against the pandemic, adding that the French side hopes to continuously strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side by upholding this spirit.

Noting that the French side appreciates the announcement made by Xi that China's COVID-19 vaccine, once available, will be made a global public good, Macron said that France stands ready to work with China to implement the consensus reached at the WHA, support the WHO in playing its important role, enhance cooperation with the WHO, and increase support to African countries in fighting the pandemic.

Expressing his wish to visit China again at an early date, Macron said he hopes that the related departments of the two countries could maintain dialogue and communication, deepen mutual understanding, and promote key cooperation projects, adding that the most urgent task is to speed up the resumption of work and production.

Macron also said that France is willing to work with China to safeguard multilateralism and strengthen cooperation in such fields as climate change and biodiversity, so as to inject more positive factors into world peace and stability.

France attaches great importance to a series of major exchanges between the EU and China in the next phase, Macron said, adding that the French side stands ready to play an active role in this regard.

(With input from Xinhua)