Xi Jinping Proposes Cooperation in Core Interest Areas Including Agriculture and Food to President Macron

In a phone call with President Si, "France is a permanent UN Security Council member and a responsible major power"
China-EU investment agreement early implementation and efforts for Paris climate change cooperation

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed joint cooperation on overall issues including COVID-19 response during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. President Xi has made efforts to maintain a friendly relationship with France, having spoken with President Macron five times last year.

According to Chinese state media such as People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency on the 26th, President Xi said during the call with President Macron the previous night that they should cooperate in key areas of mutual interest including energy, aviation, and agricultural food products.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Xi emphasized, "China and France are permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and responsible major powers," adding, "We must strive to uphold fairness and justice, openness and inclusiveness in the international community based on multilateralism."

He also mentioned, "At the end of last year, China and the EU agreed on an investment agreement," proposing "to cooperate so that the agreement can come into effect early." Furthermore, he said, "Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) is part of the overall European cooperation," expressing willingness to actively discuss trilateral cooperation development in Central and Eastern Europe with France.

President Xi went on to say, "China is providing vaccines to more than 50 developing countries to resolve the COVID-19 situation," and expressed hope to cooperate with France to activate the international vaccine supply mechanism, the COVAX facility.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also mentioned strengthening cooperation for the implementation of the G20 debt relief initiative, expanding investment in Africa, and fulfilling the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

President Macron responded by expressing his willingness to actively promote exchanges and cooperation between Europe and China, and hoped for the early implementation of the EU-China investment agreement, according to Chinese media reports.

President Macron also showed his intention to strengthen cooperation with China on epidemic prevention, highly appreciating China's efforts in providing COVID-19 vaccines. He added that he looks forward to close cooperation with China on global challenges such as promoting Africa's economic growth and climate change.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.