BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping told French President Emmanuel Macron that China and France should work together to “safeguard the UN authority and status and defend international trade rules”, state media reported on Thursday.
China and France should “safeguard international trade rules and global economic order, and practise genuine multilateralism”, Xi told Macron in a call, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
During the phone call, Xi urged China and France to be reliable forces for maintaining international order, open forces for promoting global growth and progressive forces for guiding multilateral cooperation, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Fair competition
Macron said he told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that companies from both countries “must enjoy fair competition.”
“Chinese investment is welcome in France. But our companies must enjoy fair competition in both countries,” Macron wrote on X following talks with Xi.
“We agreed to move forward as quickly as possible on the issue of cognac, which is essential for our producers,” Macron said in a post on X.
On the eve of my trip to Southeast Asia, I spoke today with President Xi Jinping about our trade relations and key international issues.
I reaffirmed France’s desire to continue building a strong economic relationship with China. In this regard, Chinese investments are welcome…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 22, 2025
Xi told Macron that China and France should “strengthen solidarity and cooperation”, adding that China was “willing to work hand in hand with Europe to address global challenges”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Macron said that he discussed China and France’s trade relations and various international issues with Xi.
The French president also stated that he and Xi agreed that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine needs “a lasting and robust peace,” which he said “begins with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”
