On January 8, 2018, President Xi Jinping met at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with President Emmanuel Macron of France, who was in China for a state visit.
The Diaoyutai bathed in the sunset in winter, enjoying a quiet and pleasant environment. The two heads of state conducted in-depth talks amid a warm and friendly atmosphere. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and France are countries with bright historical culture. President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China, as his first visit to Asia at the start of the new year, showed that he was paying high attention to China-France relations. France was the first major Western country to officially establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle made a historic decision with remarkable political foresight to forge diplomatic relations in 1964, which not only changed the world pattern at that time, but also is of great importance to the world development nowadays. In the new era, we should continuously follow the spirit of being responsible for history, and stick to the right path so as to move toward a better future of China-French relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that there are many uncertainties in today's world. China advocates building a community with a shared future for mankind, while France has similar views. The two countries can enhance political mutual trust and fully tap the potential for cooperation transcending differences on the social system, development stage and cultural tradition. China stands ready to continuously follow the principle of win-win cooperation, cement cooperation in various fields and enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative with France. China attaches importance to intensifying communication and cooperation with France on major international issues, in a bid to make joint efforts to promote world stability and prosperity. China-France relations will accomplish much more in the new era.
Emmanuel Macron expressed that it was his pleasure to pay a state visit to China for the first time. France and China enjoy a long history of friendship. Emmanuel Macron is willing to exchange views with President Xi Jinping on France-China relations and cooperation on major international issues, strengthen mutual trust between the two countries, and enhance France-China and Europe-China relations through his visit to China. The Belt and Road Initiative is of great significance, and France is ready to actively participate in it. France also stands ready to work with China to make contributions to addressing common challenges facing the international community such as climate change. He believed that his visit to China would be a new milestone in the history of France-China relations under the joint efforts of the two sides.
President Xi Jinping's wife, Mme. Peng Liyuan, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron and others attended the meeting.