China, France pledge to closer ties, upholding multilateralism

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French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international affairs and to work together to safeguard multilateralism.

Macron made the remarks during talks at the Elysee Palace with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is currently in France for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

France attaches great importance to France-China relations, and hopes to seize the opportunity of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations to promote high-level exchanges between the two sides, deepen mutual cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, investment, nuclear energy as well as aerospace, and strengthen cultural, educational and youth exchanges, said Macron.

Chinese companies are welcomed in France, he added.

Wang said ever since Macron's visit to China more than a year ago, consensuses reached between the two heads of state have been steadily implemented and cooperation in various fields has yielded positive results, demonstrating the highness of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France as well as the great potential of bilateral cooperation.

Wang added that China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges between the two sides and deepen cooperation in areas of nuclear energy and innovation, as well as within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

French President Emmanuel Macron holds talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, January 23, 2019. /Chinese MOFA Photo

China's door will open wider, Wang stressed, adding that China is willing to provide a sound investment environment for all foreign companies including those from France.

Deepen strategic cooperation

Wang Yi on Wednesday also met with Philippe Etienne, diplomatic adviser to the French president at the Elysee Palace, and called for deepening strategic cooperation with France as the world is in the midst of complex changes.

Wang noted, China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with France and add new content to the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership so as to make it constantly vigorous in advancement.

China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, need to deepen strategic cooperation and bring more positive energy to the world, Wang said.

For his part, Etienne said the French government attaches great importance to France-China ties and hopes to witness new development in the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2019.

France is ready to work with China to add fresh impetus to bilateral ties and promote coordination and cooperation on multilateral affairs, Etienne said.

Fair and just environment for trade cooperation

China is dedicated to expanding bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, hoping that France would continue to provide a fair and just environment for Chinese companies that are willing to invest and operate in France.

Wang made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

For his part, Le Drian said that France is always open to Chinese companies' investment and will not discriminate against specific companies, adding that Chinese companies are welcome in France, the French government is willing to offer more support.

The two foreign ministers have also reached a broad consensus on the issues of the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear, the Middle East, as well as on strengthening the role of the UN and the reform of the World Trade Organization.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency