President Xi Jinping held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. The two leaders also oversaw the signing of a series of agreements including aviation, culture and environmental protection. Su Yuting reports from the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

This is French President Emmanuel Macron's first state visit to China since he took office.

Macron is the first head of state from the EU to visit China after the Communist Party of China's 19th National Congress.

President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Macron say they discussed international and regional issues. Xi Jinping praised Macron's decision to choose China for his first state visit to an Asian nation and said he believes Macron's visit will serve to deepen mutual trust and inject new impetus to the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Macron said two sides have established high-level talks to strengthen cooperation in areas such as the economy, aerospace and aviation sectors, nuclear energy, education and culture. He is leading a large business delegation to seek more trade and investment with China. Xi Jinping and Macron also met with Chinese and French business people.

After their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of dozens of agreements covering areas including environmental protection, finance, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges. They also met the press.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "The 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 the China-France relation. "

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "Because we have between us a synchronisation as such, since France voted last May for 5 years and the 19th Congress was held last year for the same time duration. In the years to come we have therefore to, in this context, deploy a concerted, equitable trustworthy strategy and build this path of viability and reciprocal conscience in our partnership."

SU YUTING BEIJING "President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed on how to build an open world economy, improve global governance, and jointly cope with global challenges such as the DPRK nuclear issue, terrorism and climate change. Both China and France are permanent members of the UNSecurity Council, and both leaders believe the China-France relations extend far beyond the bilateral scope and will contribute to the development of China-EU ties and have global significance. Su Yuting, CGTN, BEIJING."