Chinese and French foreign ministers have expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation and pursue a “close and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership,” according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This followed a “successful” meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China and France to Strengthen Relations
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Paris last week, according to a statement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, both Qin and Colonna view French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to China as “a complete success,” stating that the French leader “had an in-depth exchange of views with President Xi Jinping during his visit to China and deepened his understanding of China.”
The Chinese foreign minister stated: “China is ready to work with France to follow through on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, accelerate the advancement of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, work for continuous development of the close and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France.” He emphasized, “China’s resolve to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up is unwavering,” elaborating:
China stands ready to work with France and other countries to make the pie of cooperation bigger and share development opportunities.
“China has always regarded Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner, consistently and unequivocally supported Europe in strengthening its strategic autonomy and playing an active role in the international arena, and advocates that the China-Europe relationship is not targeted at any third party, nor is it subjugated to or controlled by any third party,” Qin continued. “China, France and the EU should pursue win-win cooperation by expanding two-way opening up and build a more stable China-EU supply chain partnership of mutual trust.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs further detailed:
France-China relations are of vital importance. The two heads of state have made clear the direction, and the two sides should make joint efforts to work for greater development of bilateral relations.
According to the ministry, France places significance on its economic relations with China, considering them as “interdependent, mutually beneficial as well as complementary, open, and transparent.” Additionally, the ministry stated that Colonna expressed France’s willingness to strengthen communication with China on “major international and regional issues to seek more common ground.”
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Kevin Helms
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