China, France agree to step up high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation

China and France agreed to step up high-level exchanges and deepen win-win cooperation on Friday during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's meeting with visiting French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna.

The two met on Friday morning at the Great Hall of the People in China's capital Beijing.

Bilateral relations have developed steadily, injecting certainty and positive energy into the world, Li pointed out. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and China is willing to take that as an opportunity to to make the bilateral relations more stable and dynamic, and better promote the prosperity and development of the two countries and the world, the Chinese premier said.

He added that the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals since the establishment of their diplomatic relations. Looking into the future, Li said he hopes the two sides could continue strengthening high-level exchanges, taking care of issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and putting forth concrete measures in implementing the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. 

China hopes that France will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in, Li told the French diplomat. He said he looks forward to seeing France playing an active role in promoting market openness and free trade across Europe. 

China is willing to work closely with France to jointly address pressing issues such as climate change and biodiversity protection, actively implement global development initiatives, global security initiatives, and global civilization initiatives, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Li added. 

For her part, Colonna said France is ready to deepen high-level exchanges and political mutual trust with China. 

Both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, France and China shoulder joint responsibility of world peace and development, she stressed, adding the European country's commitment in jointly combating global challenges including climate change and bio-diversity.

She added that France is willing to take one step forward in deepening trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges with China.

(Cover: Chinese Premier Li Qiang (R) meets with visiting French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Beijing, China, November 24, 2023. /CMG)