This October, Airbus inaugurated its second final assembly line for the A320 family in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, marking a significant boost for global aviation. Set to account for 20% of the program's output, the new facility highlights the depth of cooperation between China and France in aerospace.
That milestone traces back to April 2023, when Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a framework agreement during Macron's visit to Beijing. Now, on his fourth state visit to the Chinese capital this week, Macron joined Xi at the Great Hall of the People to reaffirm their commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
Blueprint for Shared Growth
In talks on December 4, Xi pointed to the 20th Central Committee's 15th Five-Year Plan recommendations as a blueprint for China's development that also presents a list of opportunities for global partners. He urged France and China to seize chances in traditional sectors like aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, while unlocking new potential in the green economy, digital economy, biomedicine, AI and new energy.
Macron echoed this optimism, praising the dynamism of the Chinese economy and reaffirming France's support for a fair, non-discriminatory business environment. He also emphasized that France values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy.
Trade, Investment and People-to-People Ties
From January to October 2025, bilateral trade between China and France reached $68.75 billion, up 4.1% year on year, while two-way cumulative investment topped $27 billion, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. China is now France's largest trading partner in Asia and its seventh-largest globally, with France ranking third within the European Union.
Cultural exchanges are also on the rise. In 2024, the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism—celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties—welcomed over 6,000 French students to Chinese universities and exchange programs.
Anchoring a Multipolar Future
As Xi noted, transformations unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, making the case for multilateralism stronger than ever. A recent CGTN poll found that 75% of respondents support stronger economic cooperation to address external challenges, while 92.5% called on China and France to jointly uphold true multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter.
Wang Yanhang, senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, notes that the partnership between China and France offers certainty and stability in an uncertain world. He says their shared commitment to building consensus, managing differences and deepening cooperation generates positive momentum for global governance.
As climate, health and geopolitical challenges mount, cooperation across technology, trade and cultural exchange between these two major countries underscores a model of constructive partnership for the multipolar era.
Reference(s):
What makes cooperation between China and France a two-way success
cgtn.com
