Beijing, April 28, 2024, The Europe Today: In a recent development underscoring the commitment to bolstering ties between China and France, a senior Chinese official articulated China’s eagerness to fortify high-level exchanges with France. Wang Yi, a distinguished member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed this sentiment during a significant phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, the Diplomatic Counselor to the President of France.
Wang Yi emphasized China’s readiness to augment bilateral cooperation with France across diverse domains, aiming to inject fresh vitality into the comprehensive strategic partnership shared by the two nations. He highlighted the pivotal role of head-of-state diplomacy in steering this collaborative endeavor towards fruition. Moreover, Wang Yi underscored the significance of the collective influence wielded by China and France in addressing global challenges.
Central to the dialogue were the shared values of independence, win-win cooperation, and steadfast adherence to multilateralism, as championed by both China and France. Wang Yi underscored their mutual stance against the fragmentation of the world and bloc confrontation, emphasizing their joint commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law.
Against the backdrop of a complex and dynamic international landscape fraught with challenges and emerging hotspots, Wang Yi stressed the imperative for China and France to converge on common ground and articulate unified positions on pivotal issues affecting global peace, stability, and the collective destiny of humanity.
In response, Emmanuel Bonne reiterated France’s unwavering dedication to commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust, enhance pragmatic cooperation, and pursue mutually beneficial outcomes. He echoed Wang Yi’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of concerted efforts in addressing pressing global concerns, including climate change, while also bridging the North-South gap and eschewing bloc confrontation.
The consensus reached between the two sides encompassed a spectrum of collaborative initiatives, ranging from advancing artificial intelligence development to reinforcing joint endeavors in combating climate change. Furthermore, both parties pledged to build upon successful bilateral practices, such as the “from French farm to Chinese dinner table” model, to foster an enabling environment for mutual investment and business ventures.
Importantly, the dialogue extended beyond bilateral matters to encompass concerted approaches towards addressing pertinent international and regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The amicable and constructive exchange between China and France underscores their shared commitment to forging a robust partnership founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and the pursuit of global stability and prosperity. As both nations navigate the complexities of the contemporary world, their collaboration promises to yield tangible benefits not only for their respective citizens but also for the international community at large.
