(Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)
China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major independent countries, bear important responsibilities for maintaining international peace, stability and development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president.
Noting that the strategic directions of the heads of state of the two countries reflect the high level and special character of bilateral relations, Wang said China is willing to work with France to achieve new progress in China-French cooperation and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
China appreciates the French Parliament’s recent adoption of a bill to facilitate the return of cultural properties looted during the colonial era and is ready to strengthen cooperation with France in this regard to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, as well as mutual learning between civilizations, Wang said.
Amid increasing global turbulence, it is necessary for the two countries to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, jointly address global challenges and advance the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership so as to achieve healthy and stable development free from any form of interference, he added.
He stressed that China-France relations are based on solid political mutual trust and the key lies in mutual respect for each other’s core interests. He expressed hope that France would respect the one-China principle in practice, refrain from any form of official interaction with Taiwan authorities and be careful not to send wrong signals to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence.”
Stating that China and Europe are first and foremost partners and not rivals, Wang said he hopes France will play a positive and constructive role in encouraging the European Union to adopt a fair and rational view of China and pursue a pragmatic and open economic and trade policy towards China.
Bonne said France attaches great importance to the long-standing friendship and mutual trust between the heads of state of the two countries, adding that France fully understands the importance and sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, adheres to the one-China policy and will not change its position on the issue.
France looks forward to working closely with China to find constructive solutions to global crises, he said, adding that given the current international situation, it is essential to maintain dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China.
Noting that the EU needs and hopes to be a reliable partner for China, Bonne said France is ready to play an active role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China.
The two sides also held in-depth exchanges of views on issues of common concern, including global economic governance and the situation in the Middle East.
