China, France agree to build ties 'of strategic stability and vision'

China and France on Monday agreed to promote communications, coordination, exchanges and cooperation to build a bilateral relationship of more strategic stability and vision, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne after their talks in Beijing.

Wang told reporters that China and France, both with an independent spirit, should play a leading role in boosting international solidarity, innovation and development, openness and win-win results, and dialogue among civilizations.

During the talks, Wang said China and France are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major independent countries and that they share an extraordinary history of exchange and shoulder the important missions of the times.

Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between China and France, Wang said China is willing to work with France to solidify and add dynamism to the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, guided by the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state.

He said China is ready to lead the sound and steady development of China-EU relations and inject more stability into a world beset by frequent upheaval.

Wang said China is actively cultivating new quality productive forces and continuously promoting high-quality development and high-level opening-up and that these actions will bring more opportunities to France and the rest of the world and inject new vitality into China-France relations.

It is hoped that the French side will attach importance to addressing China's legitimate and reasonable concerns and provide a fair, nondiscriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, he added.

Activities related to the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism are running smoothly, Wang said.

He said China hopes the French side will provide more convenience for Chinese citizens looking to visit France, and authorities on both sides should step up their coordination to increase the number of direct flights.

"Strategic communication and multilateral coordination are highlights of China-France cooperation," Wang said, urging the two sides to work together to speak out on issues concerning world peace and stability and issues related to the future of humanity.

He said the two countries should also support each other's multilateral initiatives.

Sejourne said France attaches great importance to its relations with China and upholds the one-China policy firmly.

The French side looks forward to working with China to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, push for the greater development of bilateral relations, and enhance cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, agriculture, green development and artificial intelligence, Sejourne said.

He added that France stands for openness and cooperation, opposes a decoupling and is committed to handling differences properly through consultation.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict.

(With input from Xinhua)