Exclusive interview: Macron envisions new French-Sino ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed to further boost economic cooperation between the two countries during a meeting in Beijing on Monday.

Xi said China is willing to uphold a win-win cooperation and work closely with France in order to push forward cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Macron, who is on his first state visit to China since taking office in May last year, told Xi he wanted to advance bilateral ties and mutual trust, and play a role in building trust and respect between China and Europe.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd L) and his wife Brigitte Macron in Beijing, January 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Ahead of his visit to China, Macron sat down with CCTV for an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

The French President said he intends to build "solid trust" with China, but admitted that such a goal cannot be achieved overnight. To make his vision happen, Macron said he has decided to "come to China at least once a year over the next five years".

Macron also echoed Xi's vision of a new era, saying that he wanted to build a "new relationship" with China.

"During this visit, I want to discuss multiple issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping... and I hope together we can define a vision for our bilateral relations," Macron said.

He urged more cooperation in the fields of manufacturing and nuclear energy.

China and France are nuclear powers and big investors in their domestic civilian nuclear projects. The two countries are also collaborating on the Hinkley Point C project in Britain.

The French leader called on more efforts to cope with global economic and political dynamics.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, January 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

"The world is experiencing crisis and revolution, and the international balance has been broken. I think China and Europe, especially France, have a role to play," he said.

Before arriving in Beijing on Monday, Macron and First Lady Brigitte visited Xi'an, the ancient capital of China in the Tang Dynasty, as a nod to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.