China pushes for stronger ties with France ahead of possible Macron visit

Name: Donetsk residents yearn for reprieve as Russian attacks leave millions of Ukrainians in the dark
Uploaded: 2022-12-20T04:53:35.000Z
Duration: 2 min 50 s
Description: Donetsk residents yearn for reprieve as Russian attacks leave millions of Ukrainians in the dark

In meeting with French counterpart, Chinese foreign minister praises Paris for its ‘strategic autonomy’, calls for ‘bigger developments’ in relations

French president has yet to confirm trip but previously said he intends to travel to Beijing in the new year

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Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first face-to-face meeting in three years. Photo: Xinhua

Kinling Lo

Published: 12:53pm, 20 Dec 2022Updated: 2:58pm, 20 Dec 2022

China expects “bigger” and “positive” developments from its ties with France ahead of a potential visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

In an online meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna on Monday, Wang set high expectations for the development of bilateral relations, which have been strained in recent years amid tensions between China and the European Union.

“China would like to have frequent high-level exchanges with France, enhance our future planning, bolster the stability and predictability of China-France relations … and push for bigger developments for our comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming year,” Wang said.

Wang added that he would like to see deeper cooperation in trade, agriculture, aviation, green energy, health, medicine and technology.

“China values the core position France holds in the European Union, and appreciates France for holding on to the principle of ‘EU strategic autonomy’,” he said.

Wang added that China-France relations had endured “changing conditions” amid complicated geopolitical and global financial challenges, and ties had generally been stable and showed signs of “positive developments”.

He said the meeting between Xi and Macron last month in Bali, Indonesia, “improved understanding and trust” and “expanded common ground and cooperation”. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, was the first time the leaders held face-to-face talks in three years.

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Donetsk residents yearn for reprieve as Russian attacks leave millions of Ukrainians in the dark

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