Cooperation conducive to steadying progress in China-France partnership: China Daily editorial

President Xi Jinping's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday has once again demonstrated the strategic vision, global responsibility and enduring vitality of China-France relations.

The candid and fruitful discussions between Xi and Macron, who is on his fourth state visit to China, reflected the depth and breadth of the two countries' friendly relations.

At a time when the international landscape is fraught with turmoil and uncertainty, the two sides should always demonstrate the strategic vision and independence of a major country, as Xi said. They should offer each other understanding and support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the political foundation of China-France relations.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), drawing up the blueprint for China's development in the coming five years and also offering a list of opportunities to the world. China and France should seize the opportunities to strengthen and expand their cooperation in such traditional areas as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, and unlock the potential of the green economy, digital economy, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, new energy and other fields.

China is ready to import more quality products from France, and welcomes more French companies to operate in China. It also hopes France will provide a level-playing field and stable expectations for Chinese enterprises.

As founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France are obliged to uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. They should practice true multilateralism and increase their communication and coordination on the political settlement of disputes and the promotion of world peace and stability.

As a major country in the European Union and a supporter of multilateralism and economic globalization, France should realize that openness and cooperation will bring opportunities for development, while decoupling and severing supply chains will lead to isolation. It is hoped France can play a major role in promoting the steady and healthy development of China-EU relations.

It is good to hear that Macron noted China and France have always trusted and respected each other, and that France values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Macron's reiteration of France's firm and unequivocal adherence to the one-China policy should be seen as a timely reminder to some politicians in other countries having diplomatic relations with China who try to remain ambiguous on the Taiwan question.

As Macron noted, France agrees with Xi's views on reforming and improving global governance and promoting a more balanced global economy, and it stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination.

That is a clear message that China and France will work together to not only expand their common interests, but also inject more certainty and stability into the turbulent global situation. In strengthening their coordination to improve global governance, they should follow the principles of adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach and focusing on taking concrete actions.

That being said, as independent, visionary and responsible major countries and constructive forces working to foster a multipolar world and promote solidarity and cooperation among humanity, China and France should continue to act with a strong sense of responsibility, uphold multilateralism and stand firmly on the right side of history.

China is ready to work with France, bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the Chinese and French people and the long-term interests of the international community, to uphold equal dialogue, openness and cooperation, and strive for further steady progress in China-France comprehensive strategic partnership in a new 60-year cycle.

It is China's belief that by doing so they can demonstrate the strategic value of this partnership and make new contributions toward promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.