Xi highlights independence in meeting with French parliament leader

World
Europe

02:28

Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined the spirit of independence when meeting with Richard Ferrand, president of the French National Assembly in Paris on Tuesday.

Xi said he was delighted to visit the time-honored French National Assembly, noting that the old generations of Chinese leaders studied in France and developed a bond with the European country.

55 years ago, Xi said, General Charles de Gaulle, in a remarkable spirit of independence, made the strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations with China. Such spirit has now become ever more indispensable when the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, he said.

China is committed to promoting world multipolarization and resolute in safeguarding multilateralism, Xi said, adding that China is ready to intensify communication and coordination with France on international affairs.

It is very important that China and the European Union (EU) strengthen cooperation in the face of prominent instabilities and uncertainties in the international situation, Xi said, adding China firmly supports the process of European integration.

Stressing that exchanges between the legislative bodies are an important part of China-France relations, Xi said China supports its National People's Congress in carrying out friendly exchanges with the French National Assembly, and hopes for closer inter-party, subnational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Ferrand said his country takes pride in the precious bond between France and the first generation of Chinese leaders.

The French National Assembly is ready to deepen friendship between France and China, and carry forward the tradition of friendly communication and cooperation in various areas, he said.

The French side is willing to join hands with the Chinese side to safeguard multilateralism and strengthen cooperation between the EU and China, he added.

On the same day, Xi also met with Gerard Larcher, president of the French Senate.

Both China and France advocate maintaining the basic norms of international relations based on the UN Charter and advocate the maintenance of free trade and the multilateral trading system, Xi said, stressing the two countries should continuously coordinate and cooperate closely on major international issues such as climate change.

The French side is committed to deepening cooperation between France and China, Larcher said, hailing the foreign investment law enacted by China that provides a broader space for economic and trade investment cooperation between the two countries.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)