Chinese premier Xi Jinping took center stage at the closing ceremony of the sixth China-France Business Council meeting in Paris, marking a pivotal moment in the 60-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
Reflecting on the six decades of friendship, Xi emphasized the strong economic ties that have blossomed over the years, with bilateral trade soaring nearly 800 times since diplomatic relations were established, reaching $78.9 billion. He highlighted the significant role of French businesses in the Chinese market, noting that over 2,000 French companies are now integral to China's economic landscape.
Looking ahead, Xi outlined ambitious plans to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors such as green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, and cross-border e-commerce. He also underlined China's commitment to enhancing people-to-people exchanges by extending visa exemptions for short-term visits from 12 countries, including France, until the end of 2025.
As the world prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Xi called for continued solidarity and mutual learning between civilizations, echoing the Olympic motto of \"Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.\" He reaffirmed China's dedication to high-standard opening-up and economic reforms, inviting French entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities presented by China's modernization drive.
Concluding his remarks, Xi stressed the importance of China-France cooperation in addressing global challenges, advocating for true multilateralism and inclusive economic globalization to build a stable and prosperous multipolar world.
Reference(s):
Full text of Xi Jinping's remarks at the China-France Business Council
cgtn.com
