Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

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Premier Li Qiang called on Thursday for China and France, both as the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and responsible major countries, to strengthen communication on international affairs to jointly cope with global challenges while enhancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Li, who is in Paris on an official visit to France, made the remarks in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. He is set to attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which was initiated by Macron, on Friday.

During the meeting, Li conveyed warm greetings from President Xi Jinping to Macron, who paid a state visit to China in April and reached a broad consensus with Xi on promoting bilateral ties.

Li said his visit to France aims to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and have in-depth discussions with the French side on strengthening China-France cooperation.

He noted that China, France and the European Union have their own individual strengths and need to further strengthen cooperation.

While deepening cooperation in such traditional areas as nuclear energy, space and aviation, they should also tap the potential of cooperation in the new fields, including environmental protection, digital economy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, Li said.

The Chinese side encourages its enterprises to invest in France, and French companies are welcomed to share China"s development opportunities, he added.

Macron recalled his visit to China in April and asked Li to convey his sincere greetings and thanks to Xi.

He said that France attaches great importance to relations with China and adheres to the one-China policy.

The president said that France is willing to work with China to enhance coordination and deepen cooperation with China in various fields.

In a world full of challenges, France and China should adhere to multilateralism, promote international solidarity, improve global governance and strive to find solutions to global issues, Macron added.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international issues of common concern.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with President of the European Council Charles Michel in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

On Thursday, Li also met with President of the European Council Charles Michel in Paris.

During the meeting, Li stressed that China"s development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, brings stability rather than shocks to global industrial and supply chains.

He urged the EU to view its cooperation with China in an objective and rational way, and work with China to safeguard the sound environment of the China-EU pragmatic cooperation.

There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU, Li said, and both sides have benefited from each other"s development.

Both sides adhere to strategic autonomy and multilateralism, and enjoy broad consensus on climate change and other global issues, he added.

Li underlined the need for China and the EU to enhance mutual trust and address concerns through cooperation. That is conducive to the common development of China and the EU and the building of a multi-polar world, Li said.

Michel reaffirmed the EU"s commitment to adhering to the one-China policy, saying that China"s development is beneficial to the EU and the world.

The EU has no intention to contain China"s development, and opposes a "new Cold War" and the act of taking sides, he said.

They also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.

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