Paris, December 10th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Philippe Etienne, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of France.

Song expressed that China-France relations are bilateral relations with global and strategic significance and have long been at the forefront of the relations between China and Western countries. Over the past year, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-France relations have achieved new development in various fields. At present, the international landscape has undergone profound evolution, with more uncertain and unstable factors in the international situation. Both China and France are major countries with global influence, and have broad consensus on safeguarding multilateralism and multilateral trading system as well as promoting the resolution of major international and regional issues. China is willing to work with France to continue strengthening strategic communication and coordination at multiple levels and in various fields, constantly expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

Etienne said that France attaches great importance to China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. Since the beginning of this year, the head of state diplomacy has played an important leading role in deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields. During the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, France and China conducted sound communication and collaboration on issues such as addressing climate change and reforming global governance. It is hoped that both sides will take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China as an opportunity to further strengthen high-level exchanges and promote bilateral relations for more outcomes.

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