French President Macron met State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace in Paris on October 21.

Macron asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping. He said, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to France in March this year. President Xi Jinping and I reached important consensus on the further development of French-Chinese relations. Last week, I spoke by telephone with President Xi Jinping and exchanged views in a comprehensive and in-depth manner on bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation. I am eagerly looking forward to paying another state visit to China and attending the second China International Import Expo. We will push the comprehensive strategic partnership between France and China to a new level, and take new steps in cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, agriculture, finance, civil nuclear energy, and people-to-people exchanges. France is actively committed to promoting the development of EU-China relations, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in international multilateral affairs, and jointly respond to the global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's kind greetings to Macron. Wang Yi said, China warmly welcomes President Macron's upcoming visit to China, which will be another important strategic communication between the two world powers, two permanent members of the UN Security Council, and representatives of civilizations from the East and the West. At present, unilateralism and protectionism prevail in the world, and it is necessary for China and France to work together to safeguard multilateralism, the authority of the United Nations and the basic norms of international relations, which is the international responsibility that the two countries should bear. Together with France, China is making serious preparations for the visit of the President, so as to produce more results, ensure the success of the visit, release positive energy and positive signals of strengthening cooperation between China and France to the international community. China will expand opening up to all the countries in the world including France. China welcomes President Macron to attend the China International Import Expo, and promote more French quality and characteristic products.

Wang Yi said, China attaches great importance to Europe from a strategic point of view, firmly supports the process of European integration, supports the unity and growth of the European Union, and supports Europe to play a more important role in international affairs. China also appreciates the positive and important role played by France in promoting European integration, as well as in addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

On the same day, Wang Yi held talks with French Foreign Minister Le Drian and co-chaired with him the fifth meeting of China-France High-level Mechanism for Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges. Wang Yi also met with Emmanuel Bonne, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of France.