China ready to make comprehensive strategic partnership with France more solid, dynamic: Spokesperson

(ECNS) -- On January 27, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches and exchanged congratulatory messages on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that France is the first major western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with New China.

“This year marks the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties. As President Xi stressed, 60 years ago, China and France broke the ice of the Cold War, bridged the divide between different blocs, and pushed the global landscape to evolve in the right direction of dialogue and cooperation, which still offers inspiration for today. Over the past 60 years, the two countries have adhered to independence, achieved common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, promoted mutual learning among civilizations through exchanges on an equal footing, and jointly addressed global challenges through multilateral coordination,” Wang said.

“We have not only benefited the people of both countries but also played a vital role in maintaining global peace and stability, promoting a multipolar world, and advancing greater democracy in international relations. The current China-France relations maintain sound growth. In particular, since last year, the bilateral interactions at various levels have rebounded quickly and cooperation across the board has born fruitful results, demonstrating the vigor of China-France relations in the post-COVID era,” he added.

The spokesperson said the two countries both value the 60th anniversary and will jointly hold events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary and mark the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

He noted the reception celebrating the anniversary was held in Beijing and attended by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and over 200 Chinese and French from various sectors who are committed to China-France friendship.

“Standing at the new starting point of historic importance, China stands ready to work with France to stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, undertake the historical mission, make China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more solid and dynamic and contribute wisdom and efforts to global peace, security, prosperity and progress,” Wang said.