China, France oppose trade wars, pledge to resolve economic disputes through dialogue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for China and France to strengthen strategic coordination and oppose trade wars amid rising global uncertainty.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, on Tuesday.

During their conversation, Wang highlighted that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and comprehensive strategic partners, China and France should strengthen high-level exchanges and cooperation to uphold multilateralism, maintain the stability of global trade and supply chains, and resist unilateralism and economic coercion.

He underscored the importance of resolving China-EU economic disputes through consultation, urging France to work with China to promote a stable China-EU relationship.

Bonne said France is willing to maintain close communication with China and jointly oppose camp confrontation. He reaffirmed France's opposition to trade wars and tariff barriers, stating that France is committed to addressing economic frictions through dialogue.

He also emphasized the importance of balanced and sustainable EU-China trade relations and the need to preserve the WTO-based global trade framework. 

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Bonne outlined France's position on the issue and noted China's role in achieving a fair, lasting, and sustainable peace agreement.

Wang reiterated China's stance on resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, stressing that any peace process should respect the will of the parties involved and not serve the interests of a single country. "China is willing to continue working with all parties, including Europe, to promote peace," said Wang.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue.