Chinese FM calls on China, France to expand exchanges, cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called on China and France to continue to expand exchanges and mutual learning and be mutually beneficial partners.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France in Beijing.

China and France share extensive common interests in promoting a multi-polar, equal and orderly world and economic globalization that benefits all, Wang noted.

As both permanent members of the UN Security Council and independent major countries, China and France should demonstrate responsibilities to lead the stability and long-term development of China-Europe relations and make greater contributions to world peace, development and progress, said Wang.

Wang called on the two countries to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and support each other's multilateral concepts and initiatives to jointly respond to global challenges.

The two countries should respect each other's core interests and major concerns and make good use of the multi-level and multi-dimensional communication channels between the two countries to expand consensus, bridge differences and enhance mutual trust, he said.

Noting that China will continue to advance high-quality development and high-level opening up, Wang vowed to provide more convenience for investors from France and other countries to do business and invest in China, expressing his hope that France will also provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and predictable business environment.

Taking the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities, the two countries should expand cooperation in areas such as culture, education, technology and sports to facilitate personnel exchanges and promote people-to-people bonds, Wang said.

Hailing the fruitful results of France-China cooperation, French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary said France will continue the positive momentum of bilateral relations and write a new chapter of friendship between the two countries in the new era.

Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the French Embassy in China, the reception was attended by more than 200 friendly people from all walks of life from the two countries.