Photo: Xinhua/Yin God
It is with great pleasure that I begin my third state visit to the French Republic at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. I have already visited France twice in 2014 and 2019, both times in the spring, to celebrate with the French people the 50th and 55th anniversaries of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, I have a strong sense of déjà vu when I set foot on the soil of your beautiful country again. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the French Government and people our warmest greetings and best wishes.
China and France, as important representatives of Eastern and Western civilization, have a long history of mutual appreciation and admiration. French Enlightenment thinkers turned to the study of Chinese culture centuries ago, and great French thinkers and writers such as Voltaire, Diderot, Hugo and Balzac made their mark in China. Sixty years ago, our two countries broke the blocks of the Cold War and established diplomatic relations at the level of ambassadors. Since then, for 60 years, our bilateral relations have always kept pace with China's relations with Western countries, and have been an example for countries with different social systems to coexist peacefully and seek win-win cooperation.
In recent years, our relations have reached a new level and we continue to make new progress in cooperation in the fields of aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agro-food industry and environmental development. Our two countries are closely coordinating and cooperating on climate change response, biodiversity conservation and global governance. Activities under the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism are developing in all areas. The developing Sino-French relations bring benefits not only to our two peoples, but also stability and positive energy to a troubled world.
During my visit, I will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Macron on the growing Sino-French and Sino-European relations in the new context, as well as on the major international and regional issues of the world today. I hope that this visit will help consolidate our long-standing friendship, strengthen political trust, build strategic consensus and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields. I hope that our two countries will illuminate our way forward through the torch of history, open up a brighter future for China-France relations and make new contributions to world peace, stability and development.
fmprc.gov.cn/gnews.cz-RoZ_07
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202405/t20240505_11292998.html
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