On August 19, 2019, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Jean-Maurice Ripert, the French Ambassador to China who is to leave his post.

Wang Yi praised Jean-Maurice Ripert for his efforts in promoting China-France relations during his tenure. Wang Yi expressed, the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership has moved forward steadily with fruitful achievements. It is particularly worth noting that President Xi Jinping and President Emmanuel Macron successfully exchanged visits, which led China-France relations to new highs. We are willing to work with the French side to prepare for the high-level exchanges in the next phase, in a bid to push the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership constantly forward. In the face of rising unilateralism, China and France, the two major countries with a tradition of pursuing an independent foreign policy and both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should continuously enhance coordination and make positive contributions to safeguarding world peace, stability and development.

Jean-Maurice Ripert said, I have been very honoured to serve as French Ambassador to China and promote France-China and Europe-China relations to new highs during my term of office. The French side is willing to make concerted efforts with the Chinese side to follow through on the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and advance bilateral relations for new development.