Today, President Xi Jinping of the Chinese mainland and French President Emmanuel Macron met informally in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province. Against the backdrop of the region’s ancient irrigation system—a UNESCO World Heritage site—the two leaders embraced a relaxed setting to foster candid dialogue and explore new avenues for cooperation.
By stepping away from formal summit halls, Xi and Macron signaled a commitment to deepen bilateral ties through personal exchange. In recent years, informal diplomacy has emerged as a crucial complement to official talks, allowing heads of state to tackle complex topics like green technology and cultural partnerships with greater openness.
The choice of Dujiangyan highlights China’s push to showcase its western provinces as hubs for sustainable development and innovation. Young entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts across G20 nations will be watching closely for any joint initiatives on clean energy, digital infrastructure and education exchanges that could spring from today’s meeting.
For thought leaders and changemakers, the gathering underscores the importance of global cooperation in addressing shared challenges. Sports and entertainment fans may anticipate fresh cultural collaborations, from French cinema tie-ups to Chinese streaming expansions. And for travelers and digital nomads, Sichuan’s blend of history, natural beauty and modern growth continues to offer immersive experiences that bridge East and West.
As this year draws to a close, Xi and Macron’s informal meeting in southwestern China could set the tone for a new chapter in China-France relations—one that leverages personal connections, regional strengths and innovative partnerships to shape the global agenda in 2026 and beyond.
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President Xi, Macron hold informal meeting in China's Sichuan
cgtn.com
