China and France have vowed to strengthen political dialogue and promote mutual political trust, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries on Friday following French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China. 

The statement also said the two countries would jointly promote world security and stability, respond to global challenges together, boost economic exchanges and restart people and cultural exchanges.

Strengthening political dialogue

The heads of state of the two countries will continue the annual meeting mechanism, according to the statement.

It pointed out that both sides stressed the importance of the high-level mechanisms on strategic, economic and financial, and people-to-people dialogues for the development of bilateral cooperation, and agreed to hold new a new round of meetings under the three mechanisms.

They reaffirmed their willingness to continuously enhance a close and lasting China-France comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and vital interests, it said.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union (EU), China is also committed to push forward China-EU relations and stands ready to encourage high-level contacts, build consensus on strategic issues and increase personal exchanges, according to the statement.

Promoting world security and stability

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France seek constructive solutions to the challenges and threats to international security and stability based on international law, the statement said, adding both sides agreed that differences and disputes between countries should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation.

They reaffirmed their support for a joint statement on preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races issued by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States, in January 2022, which underscores that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, according to the statement.

It noted that the two countries called for refraining from any action that could increase the risk of tension, and opposed armed attacks against nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities. Both are ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation, jointly maintain the authority and effectiveness of the arms control and non-proliferation system, and advance the international arms control process.

The two sides supported all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine on the basis of international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, said the statement.

Boosting economic exchanges

The statement noted that China and France agreed to provide fair and non-discriminatory competition conditions for businesses, particularly in the areas of cosmetics, agriculture and agri-food products, air traffic management, finance, energy, investment and sustainable development.

They agreed to provide a favorable environment for business cooperation, improving market access for enterprises from both countries in the other country, optimizing the business environment and respecting the intellectual property rights of all enterprises in both countries, it added.

In the digital economy, including in the area of 5G, the French side vowed to continue processing applications for licenses from Chinese companies in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

In welcoming a purchase agreement of 160 aircraft between Airbus and a Chinese airline company, both sides said they were willing to restore air connectivity between the two countries to pre-epidemic levels as soon as possible. They agreed to deepen people and economic exchanges, including facilitating visa application for private sector personnel and business people from both countries, according to the statement.

The two countries are also committed to continuing to promote cooperation on cutting-edge topics in the field of nuclear energy research and development, the statement said.

Responding to global challenges

Both sides pledged to maintain market stability, avoid unreasonable restrictions on the export of agricultural inputs and products, and facilitate the export of cereals and fertilizers to ensure smooth international food supply chain, according to the statement.

It noted that they emphasized their support for the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and their commitment to create a free, open, transparent, inclusive and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment.

It said both countries stand ready to cooperate to solve the financing difficulties of developing and emerging market economies, encourage them to accelerate their energy and climate transition, and support their sustainable development.

Expressing their willingness to strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Group of 20 (G20), they vowed to promote the G20 as the main forum for international economic cooperation, and advance the reform of the international monetary and financial system in accordance with the commitments made by the leaders at the summit in Bali, according to the statement.