Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on May 22, during which they exchanged views on international issues such as the Ukraine crisis, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
According to the report, the two leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of international and regional issues, including the Ukraine crisis, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the Iranian nuclear issue. President Xi emphasized, "China and France are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and we need to strengthen cooperation to uphold the global trade order and genuine multilateralism." He added, "China will join hands with Europe to respond to global challenges and achieve outcomes that benefit both our countries and the world."
President Xi went on to say, "The more complicated the international situation becomes, the more China and France must make the right strategic decisions." He stressed, "We must demonstrate our capacity for trust to maintain international order, our capacity for openness to promote global growth, and our capacity for progress to lead multilateral cooperation."
In response, President Macron stated, "No matter how the international situation changes, France will continue to value its relationship with China," adding, "In the rapidly changing international environment, I hope we can work together to maintain peace and stability in the world and the region."
The two leaders also reportedly agreed on the need for a prompt resolution regarding China's ongoing anti-dumping investigation into French Cognac.
President Macron stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "France welcomes Chinese investment, but it is essential that companies from both countries are able to conduct business under fair conditions." He added, "We have agreed to make progress on the Cognac trade dispute as quickly as possible." Previously, China had launched an anti-dumping investigation into European brandy, including Cognac, in retaliation for the European Union's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
President Macron also noted that "both countries share the common goal of achieving lasting and robust peace regarding Russia's war in Ukraine." This phone call took place ahead of President Macron's tour of Southeast Asia. He is scheduled to visit Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore in succession starting from May 25.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
