By Manal Abdel Fattah
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his hope that China and France will illuminate their way forward with the flame of history, open a brighter future for China-France relations, and make new contributions to global peace, stability and development.
Xi made the remarks in a written speech upon his arrival here on a state visit to France.
He said that during the visit, he will have an in-depth exchange of views with French President Emmanuel Macron on the growing relations between China and France and between China and Europe under the new circumstances, as well as major international and regional issues in today’s world.
“I hope that this visit will help consolidate our long-standing friendship, enhance political trust, build strategic consensus, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields,” Xi added, expressing his overwhelming happiness at the start of his third state visit to the French Republic at the invitation of Macron.
Going back to 2014 and 2019, Xi made two visits to France, both in the spring, to celebrate with the French people the 50th and 55th anniversaries of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“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 government and people of China, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere regards and best wishes to the government and people of France,” Xi said.
He explained that China and France, as important representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, have a long history of mutual appreciation and admiration.
Xi added that French enlightenment thinkers turned to studying Chinese culture centuries ago, and there were familiar names in China of great French thinkers and writers, such as Voltaire, Diderot, Hugo and Balzac.
He also pointed out that 60 years ago, the two countries broke through the Cold War blocs and established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
Xi said that in the 60 years since then, bilateral relations have always kept pace with China’s relations with Western countries, providing a prime model for countries with different social systems to coexist in peace and seek win-win cooperation.
Xi said that in recent years, the relationship between China and France has risen to new heights, as the two countries continue to make new progress in cooperation in the fields of aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agri-food and green development.
The two countries enjoy close coordination and cooperation on climate response, biodiversity protection and global governance, he said, adding that the activities of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism are unfolding in all fields.
“The growing China-France relationship has not only brought benefits to the two peoples, but also injected stability and positive energy into the turbulent world,” Xi said.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was at Paris Orly Airport to receive the Chinese President, who received a warm welcome from the Chinese there upon his arrival.
