At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron will pay a state visit to China from December 3 to 5, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, announced on Monday.
Mr. Lin specified that this would be Mr. Macron’s fourth state visit to China. He added that the visit follows President Xi’s state visit to France last year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations.
During the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Macron to jointly define the direction of Sino-French relations under the new circumstances, said the spokesperson, adding that the two presidents will also exchange in-depth views on major international and regional issues.
Prime Minister Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will also meet with President Macron, the spokesperson noted.
France was the first major Western country to establish official diplomatic relations with the new China. Sino-French relations have a history worth cherishing, are endowed with unique values, and carry important missions, Mr. Lin affirmed.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and France have maintained close exchanges at all levels, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, and coordinated effectively in multilateral affairs, he continued.
In a rapidly evolving and turbulent international context, China is ready to work with France to use this visit to strengthen strategic communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation, promote closer multilateral coordination, and achieve new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France, Mr. Lin declared.
In doing so, the two countries will contribute further to promoting the sound and stable development of China-EU relations, defending multilateralism, and safeguarding peace, stability, and prosperity in the world.