Beijing, 11 Nov (ZXS) -- Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with French Foreign Minister Colonna in Beijing on 25 November.
Wang Yi said that this year, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, high-level exchanges between China and France have been full of highlights, institutional dialogues have been held one after another, practical cooperation has been promoted in an orderly manner, people-to-people exchanges have heated up rapidly, and multilateral cooperation has been closely coordinated. After 60 years of ups and downs, China and France will continue to stand tall among the world's great powers with the spirit of independence, and will continue to provide more stability to the turbulent world with a mature and stable bilateral relationship. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with France to build on its tradition and face the future, build the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more solid and vibrant, and let China-France cooperation continue to be at the forefront of the world.
Wang Yi pointed out that the two sides should continue to give full play to the overall coordination role of the three major dialogue mechanisms of China and France, namely strategy, economy and finance, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, make full use of the existing mechanisms as soon as possible, promote the establishment of new channels for dialogue, and inject new impetus into deepening and expanding practical cooperation between the two countries. China is ready to work with France to expand the level of mutual opening-up, promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. It is hoped that the French side will provide a fairer, more just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. The two sides need to increase mutual support in the multilateral arena, create more highlights of cooperation, and demonstrate the great significance of China-France relations beyond the bilateral scope and global influence.
Wang Yi stressed that China always regards Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, and supports the EU's strategic autonomy, its development and growth, and its integration process. There are no geopolitical contradictions, no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and the EU, the two sides are partners rather than rivals, and cooperation far outweighs differences. The two sides can enhance mutual trust through communication and dialogue, and properly handle differences through friendly consultations. France is a major EU country and believes that France will continue to play an important and constructive role in the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.
Colonna said that France-China relations are special and important, and France has always adhered to cooperation with China on the basis of mutual trust. France firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to work with China to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China next year as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, aerospace and artificial intelligence, so as to open up the next 60 years of more brilliant bilateral relations. France is ready to deepen cooperation with China under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks to jointly address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity conservation, and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. France supports the building of a strong and independent EU, the strengthening of cooperation with China as a whole, and the positive results of the EU-China summit. France supports openness and cooperation and opposes protectionism.
The two sides agreed to hold a series of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the Year of Culture and Tourism next year, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen cooperation in third-party markets, and open up a broader space for the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.
The two sides agreed to implement the outcomes of the Sixth Meeting of the China-France High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, strengthen cooperation in education, culture, Olympic Games, health and other fields, provide more convenience for people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, and promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries to unleash greater vitality and achieve greater results. The French side will issue a longer visa to Chinese graduate students studying in France.
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern. (ENDS)