Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting French Foreign Minitser Jean-Noel Barrot in Beijing on Thursday, urging efforts to enhance bilateral ties and carry forward friendly cooperation between the two countries.
Noting that this year marks a new beginning after China and France celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them last year, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with France to strengthen dialogue in various fields and at all levels, deepen bilateral cooperation, and make a good start for the development of bilateral relations in the future.
The two sides should show their responsibility as major countries, work for building a more just and equitable global governance system, and never allow the world to return to the law of the jungle, Wang said. He said China is ready to deepen cooperation with France in traditional domains, encourage mutual investment and expand bilateral cooperation in emerging areas to foster new growth drivers to China-France cooperation.
Barrot said that France always regards China as an important partner and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. He added that France supports free trade and opposes decoupling and trade wars.
France is ready to carry out reciprocal cooperation through high-quality dialogue, expand two-way investment, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and friendship, said Barrot.
The two also exchanged views on China-EU relations.
Wang said the relationship between China and the EU is more cooperative than competitive and features more consensus than differences, and it is entirely possible for the two sides to develop a better relationship between them.
Barrot responded that France supports dialogue between Europe and China to resolve trade disputes through negotiations.
The two sides issued a joint statement on coping with climate change.
After the meeting, the two foreign ministers met the press at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing and took questions from media outlets from both sides regarding to the development of China-France relations as well as international issues of common concern.
"The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France in 1964 no doubt was a milestone in the history of international relations. In spite of the Cold War at that time, the leaders of China and France still made the decision to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, which fully reflected the strategic vision and historical initiative of the two countries as major powers," Wang told reporters.
Barrot said that amidst increasing international uncertainties and conflicts, cooperation between the two countries is vital to address global challenges.
"Today, we are facing ever-increasing international uncertainties. The number and intensity of conflicts, as well as the weakening of the multilateral institutions, threaten global instability. We agree that our two countries, as permanent members of the Security Council, have a special responsibility to work together to find solutions to the international community by overcoming the divisions that pit Western countries against others, or developed countries against developing countries," said Barrot.
Chinese, French foreign ministers hold talks on bilateral ties
