China and France vowed to expand cooperation on nuclear issues and global challenges as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his three-day visit on Friday.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to “promoting the safe development of nuclear energy and strengthening collaboration across the nuclear energy industry chain”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The two nuclear powers also expressed their support for non-proliferation and underscored the key role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in building a strong and sustainable global framework for nuclear safety and security.
A separate statement highlighted discussions between the two countries on global conflicts, including Ukraine – one of the main issues Macron raised when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday – and Gaza.
China and France vowed to expand cooperation on nuclear issues and global challenges as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his three-day visit on Friday.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to “promoting the safe development of nuclear energy and strengthening collaboration across the nuclear energy industry chain”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The two nuclear powers also expressed their support for non-proliferation and underscored the key role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in building a strong and sustainable global framework for nuclear safety and security.
A separate statement highlighted discussions between the two countries on global conflicts, including Ukraine – one of the main issues Macron raised when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday – and Gaza.
In a brief line, the statement said China and France “support all efforts to achieve a ceasefire and restore peace on the basis of international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter”.
It echoed the message Xi delivered to Macron on Thursday, when he said China supported “all efforts conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way”.
On Gaza, they stressed the need to create favourable conditions for the effective implementation of the “two-state solution”, which was described as “the only credible solution to meet the legitimate expectations of Israelis and Palestinians for a just and lasting peace and security”.
They also urged all parties to fulfil their commitments to the ceasefire agreement reached in October.
“As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France are jointly committed to seeking constructive solutions based on international law to address the challenges and threats to international security and stability,” the statement said.
“Both countries reaffirmed their willingness to maintain close communication on issues concerning international peace and security.”
Other joint statements included pledges to cooperate on agriculture and on tackling climate and environmental challenges.
Another statement said Xi and Macron had “called for the continued promotion of multilateralism”, adding that Paris appreciated global governance initiatives proposed by Beijing.
It said: “Multilateralism is the cornerstone of the international order and the best way to promote international cooperation, maintain world peace and prosperity, and address the ever-emerging common problems and challenges.”
The joint statements were released on the final day of Macron’s three-day trip to China – his fourth visit as president – which included another meeting with Xi, this time in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
In a rare gesture, the Chinese leader showed Macron an ancient dam that formed part of the Dujiangyan irrigation system that was built in 256BC and expanded in 141BC.
Dujiangyan, seen as the earliest oldest human-made irrigation system still in operation, was made a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000.
The Chinese leader also referred to his trip to France last year, where Macron took him to a part of the Pyrenees where he spent his childhood holidays.
“Last year you invited me to your hometown in the Hautes-Pyrenees, and I believe this trip will further enrich your understanding of China”, Xi said, according to CCTV.
Xi said the irrigation system was one of the earliest examples of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and its construction reflected the Chinese nation’s spirit of self-reliance and perseverance.
“The French nation also possesses a tenacious spirit. China and France should be able to understand and respect each other better than other countries,” he said.
“Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, it is believed that China and France, two great historical and cultural powers, can make greater contributions to world peace and stability and the progress of humankind through dialogue and cooperation.”
The report added that Macron had said France was willing to deepen communication and coordination with China and work together to safeguard world peace and stability.
On Thursday, the two leaders held closed-door talks in Beijing, which Xi described as “friendly, candid and fruitful”, saying the two countries “should understand and support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns”.
Macron said after the talks that there would be disagreements between the two sides “but we have a responsibility to overcome them”.
He also called on China to join European efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying it was “crucial that we work together for a just and lasting peace, one that respects international law”.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of 12 agreements that covered issues ranging from higher education and nuclear energy to panda conservation.
Macron was visiting China at a time of heightened tensions between the European Union and China. Brussels is particularly concerned about Beijing’s stance on the Ukraine war because of its close ties with Moscow, its control of critical mineral supplies and manufacturing overcapacity.
When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited China in July, she said relations between the bloc and China were at an “inflection point”.
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