Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that China and France should strengthen strategic communication and cooperation in the "post-pandemic era" and set cooperation the leading-tone in the bilateral ties.
Wang made the remarks via video conference during the 20th China-France Strategic Dialogue with French president's diplomatic counselor Emmanuel Bonne.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron have maintained in close communication since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it showed high-level political trust between the two countries.
Both sides also kept close cooperation in maintaining medical goods supply chain and exchanging experiences in treating COVID-19, Wang noted.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and visiting French president's diplomatic counselor Emmanuel Bonne co-chair the new round of consultation between the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, China, July 19, 2019. /Xinhua
Speaking of future cooperation, Wang said the two countries should focus more on the "post-pandemic era," strengthen strategic communication and cooperation, and push for a new start in China-France relations.
"In the face of an international situation fraught with uncertainties, China and France should be the major stabilizing factors in this changing situation rarely seen in a hundred years."
China is ready to make arrangements for high-level visits with France, continue to promote practical cooperation in various fields, make good use of fast channels for personnel exchanges and maintain stable operation of the industrial and supply chains, he added.
Speaking of China-EU relations, Wang said China welcomes a more united, stable and prosperous EU and supports Europe to continue to push forward its integration, and China hopes bilateral economic cooperation and trade exchange will be at the front of cooperation with various parties.
Bonne said the French side is willing to provide an open and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises.
"The EU hopes to establish a win-win cooperative relationship with China. France is willing to play a constructive role in this regard," he added.
The two diplomats also agreed to resume regular flights between the two countries as soon as possible.
The two sides also agreed to speed up the negotiation of the China-EU investment agreement, sign the China-EU geographical indications agreement at an early date, effectively strengthen China-EU cooperation in climate change, biodiversity and other fields, and practice multilateralism with concrete actions.