Xi: Sino-French ties in new era have much to accomplish

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that the China-France relationship in the new era has a lot to accomplish, during a meeting with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Stressing that there is plenty of uncertainty in the current world, Xi said China proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind and noted that France holds a similar concept.

"Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle made the right decision to officially establish the bilateral diplomatic ties between China and France in 1964, which not only influenced the global landscape at that time, but also has great significance for global development today," said Xi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) meet French President Emmanuel Macron (3rd L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, January 8, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The two countries fully tap the potential of cooperation and boost political mutual trust, transcending their differences in social systems, development phases and cultural traditions, Xi noted.

He went on to say that China wishes to work with France within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, to strengthen communication on major world issues and join forces to promote global stability and prosperity.

Macron, who arrived in Beijing Monday afternoon, said he was glad to pay his first state visit to China and expected to exchange views with President Xi on bilateral ties as well as major global issues.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) talks with French President Emmanuel Macron (L) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, January 8. /Reuters Photo

The young leader also hailed the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying France is willing to participate in the project actively and could help build railways, ports and other infrastructure, especially in Africa.

Macron added that France will work with China to deal with global challenges such as climate change, and said he believed this visit will be a new milestone in the French-Chinese relationship under the joint efforts by both sides.

During Macron's three-day visit, a series of commercial agreements will be signed, and the two sides are expected to announce a Chinese-French investment fund worth more than 1.2 billion US dollars.

Earlier in the day, Macron gave a speech in the northwestern city of Xi'an, calling for a partnership between France and China to fight climate change.