French President Macron to visit China next week

World
Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron will pay a state visit to China from Jan. 8 to 10 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday.

It would be Macron's first visit to China after coming to power in May last year. He met President Xi for the first time during the Hamburg G20 Summit in July, where they both agreed to promote bilateral relations and cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Hamburg, Germany, July 8, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi held a phone conversation with Macron in September, expressing hope that France, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, would play a constructive role in easing the situation on the Korean Peninsula and resuming dialogue.

Macron's China visit is being viewed as significant at a time, when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been continuing missile tests, raising questions on the future of peace and stability in the region.

French Ambassador to China Jean-Maurice Ripert earlier in October had disclosed that Macron was expected to pay a state visit to China at the beginning of 2018.

"France considers China a very important partner," said Ripert, adding that he appreciates the ability of both sides always to find ways to work together even when there are differences.

"In the current world of uncertainties, and under the tide of populism, China and the European Union are the world's two stable poles," Ripert added.