French President Emmanuel Macron has stressed the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding in addressing contemporary global challenges, during a speech delivered at Sichuan University in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. The address was part of his three-day state visit to China, which wrapped up on Friday.

Macron noted that humanity is experiencing a profound transition in habits, lifestyles and landscapes. He emphasized the necessity of not only cooperating but also fostering mutual understanding, getting to know one another and engaging in collective reflection to develop practical solutions for pressing issues like the climate crisis.

Humanity has the capacity to go beyond borders to develop the same agenda for peace, prosperity and climate, grounded in respect and a sense of responsibility – a spirit which allows humanity to move forward, Macron added.

In recent years, Sichuan University has established and deepened cooperative partnerships with a number of universities in France, including the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Paris Nanterre University, University of Toulouse and National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations.

In 1981, Chengdu and the French city of Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between China and France.

Following his visit to the university, Macron met with French paddlers who were competing in the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu on Friday afternoon. He played alongside the French players against the Chinese paddlers in a friendly match.