French President Emmanuel Macron has wrapped up his three-day visit to China. The visit was aimed at boosting ties between the world's second largest economy and one of the most influential members of the European Union. As Sun Ye tells us Macron's first state visit to Asia ended on a high note.
Cooperation for issues even high up in the air, the last day of his President Macron's brought him to the Chinese Academy of Space Technology.
EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "We will work together. We will launch a common satellite with common technologies to better analyse waves and oceans phenomenon. We will better analyse together obviously CO2 emissions and all their consequences and we will analyse together this data."
"We will work together." The two sides have promised THAT. President Xi Jinping said cooperation is the way EXPECTED of the two countries, in the face of an increasingly difficult international environment.
XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "Human society is facing many challenges. As world powers with a long historical and cultural heritage and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France shoulder special responsibilities and historical missions. We'll carry on our friendship and start our new work. We'll safeguard and develop China-France relations."
The French president emphasized the importance of constantly working together.
EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "I think China is an indispensable partner for the future. China needs technology. Europe and France can meet this need. France itself also has the need of economic development, cooperation and creating jobs. We can solve the problems of each other."
And contribute to each other, especially on the transcontinental Belt and Road Initiative. Macron said he hoped to have France take part in it and build a "GREEN silk road", while President Xi said he welcomed such efforts under the expanding Framework and hopes the two sides can "join hand in hand" in future developments. That might be a long-term plan.
But immediate benefits have already come from close cooperation, from Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com's plan of 2.4 billion US dollars in sales of French goods to better access for French agricultural products. There's also a contract with Airbus for more than 180 jetliners worth 18 billion US dollars. In the weeks and months following Macron's trip, the spirit of cooperation will fly high. SunYe, CGTN.