Xi holds talks with Macron, pledging for enhanced China-France ties

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday held talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"We have made mutual visits to our respective countries on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and lifted China-France ties to a higher level," Xi said.

Xi noted that the speeches, delivered respectively by him and Macron at the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo on Tuesday in Shanghai, sent a strong message to the world in firmly safeguarding multilateralism and free trade, as well as building an open world economy.

"Our frank, in-depth and fruitful discussions on many topics of common concern have deepened mutual understanding and trust," Xi said.

China and France, as two permanent members of the UN Security Council and representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, should strengthen strategic communication, shoulder more responsibilities and exercise their roles as major countries, as the world is undergoing changes rarely seen in a century, Xi said.

He pledged to work jointly with Macron to further advance the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, looking out on the world, the future and the people, and keep the partnership at the forefront of major-country relations.

China-France ties have shown a strong momentum of development, Xi said, adding that the consensus reached by him and Macron had been actively implemented since his successful state visit to France in March.

Citing some successful projects including the No.1 and No. 2 power units of Taishan nuclear power plant which have provided a successful model for the construction of third-generation nuclear power plants around the globe, Xi said the two countries have published the list of the second batch of industrial cooperation projects.

The Chinese government has just successfully issued 4 billion euro-denominated sovereign bonds in Paris. The two countries have also completed negotiations on an agreement of geographical indications between China and Europe.

Xi expressed his hope that more tangible cooperation results will be achieved.