Macron’s visit showed that France and China have great potential for cooperation –

/ world today news/ “Together we can do many things. Long live French-Chinese friendship!” This is what French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on his social media profile after his just-ended visit to China.

This was Macron’s third visit to China since he became French president, and the several meetings and talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and Guangzhou between April 5 and 7 strengthened the understanding and mutual trust between the two leaders and gave a clear direction for future cooperation between France and China bilaterally and internationally. The two countries issued a joint declaration covering aspects such as strengthening political dialogue, jointly promoting world security and stability, promoting economic and cultural exchanges, and jointly addressing global challenges, and demonstrating the close and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France.

France is the first Western country to formally establish diplomatic relations with the PRC, and the first to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and regular strategic dialogue with China. The two sides share common ground on a number of issues. For example, they adhere to the tradition of independent diplomacy and advocate multilateralism and free trade. As Xi Jinping stated, “stability is the most important characteristic and valuable asset of Sino-French relations.”

The results of the talks between the leaders of France and China show that they have more in common, and the areas of cooperation have become wider. “Reviving” the dialogue mechanism is one of the highlights. The deepening of economic and trade cooperation is another important result of Macron’s visit to China. According to the New York Times, while Washington wants Europe to join its pressure on Chinese companies in the high-tech sector, Macron has apparently not budged.

During Macron’s visit, Beijing proposed five concrete measures to support Europe’s role in a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, strict compliance with international humanitarian law and the earliest possible start of peace talks.