President says China, France can work together to promote world economic growth

China would like to make joint efforts with France to uphold multilateralism, cope with global challenges, promote free trade and facilitate investment, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Francois Hollande, former French president, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

The global situation is experiencing profound and complex changes, and all countries rely much more on one another than in the past, Xi said, adding that no country can be free from the influence of globalization.

China would like to enhance strategic coordination with France and jointly promote global economic growth, Xi said.

Xi said he appreciated the efforts that Hollande made as French president to promote China-France relations.

Noting that China and France reached wide consensus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation in many areas during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China in January, Xi said he is confident about the future of China-France relations.

China would like to make positive contributions to keeping global peace and stability and building an open and inclusive international order, Xi said.

Hollande said he was glad to have injected impetus into the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership during his presidential term.

He also said he cherished the friendship with Xi, and he spoke highly of China's positive role in global affairs, especially China's important contribution to the conclusion of the Paris climate change agreement.

The strategic cooperation between France and China is helpful in maintaining multilateralism and resolving global and regional problems through dialogue and cooperation, Hollande added.

Wang Yiwei, Jean Monnet chair professor at the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, said European countries, including France, are facing challenges such as the US announcement of steel and aluminum tariffs on imports as well as its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

Hollande's visit shows France's efforts to seek a better relationship and more cooperation with China to maintain free trade and multilateralism, he said.

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