China and France should increase the potential of bilateral trade, said Xi Jinping

Almaty. November 2. Silkroadnews. President Xi Jinping held talks with President François Hollande of France at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state spoke highly of the development of China-France relations and agreed to continue joining efforts for progress and constantly open up new situation of bilateral friendly cooperation.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the close exchange of the leaders is a good tradition in China-France relations. In our joint care, China and France enjoy flourishing relations and fruitful achievements in practical cooperation in various fields and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The bilateral relationship has stepped on a new stage and become a major-country relationship with more maturity, stability, depth, practicality and energy. He hopes that the two sides join efforts to make the close and lasting China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more colorful in the new era.
Xi Jinping put forward three pieces of suggestion on developing China-France relations. First, give play to the leading and guaranteeing role of political mutual trust. The two sides should always stick to mutual respect and equal treatment, maintain the overall situation of long-term and stable development of China-France relations, and develop the bilateral relations on higher levels. Second, promote practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges in a coordinated way. The two sides should successfully implement major cooperative projects in areas such as nuclear power and aircraft manufacturing, deepen opening up to each other, and release the potential of bilateral trade and investment growth. China will actively encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in France and also welcomes France to participate actively in the building of the "Belt and Road". We should make a good use of the high-level people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanism and launch the program of 1,000 interns as soon as possible. The two sides can put emphasis on cooperation between local governments and carry out new theme activities. Third, jointly promote establishing a new type of international relations. China is willing to work with France to promote establishing a new type of international relations with mutual benefits and win-win results as its core, carry forward the ideas of mutual respect, company in rise and fall and win-win cooperation, and keep regular strategic communication and coordination on major issues such as improving global economic governance. China appreciates France's support in bringing RMB into the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket of currencies of the International Monetary Fund, and is willing to work with France to promote the reform of the international monetary and financial system and to have close communication with France in preparing the G20 Summit to be held next year.
Xi Jinping said that China speaks highly of France's great efforts in preparing the Climate Change Conference in Paris and firmly supports France in holding the Conference. China has also made substantial efforts in pushing for success of the Conference, and hopes that France as the host will continue to play a coordinating role to promote the Conference for comprehensive and balanced results.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and the European Union (EU) are two important forces in the world. We are willing to work with the EU, including France, to uphold the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation, promote China-EU four major partnerships for constant development, and achieve progress as soon as possible especially in fields such as docking China's "Belt and Road" initiative and the European Strategic Investment Plan. China hopes that France will play a positive and leading role in China-EU relations and push forward the common development of China-France relations and China-EU relations.
François Hollande said that his visit to China aims to further strengthen France-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries reflect the high-level development of the bilateral relations. At present, France and China maintain good political mutual trust and dialogues, and enjoy constantly enhanced cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, investment, nuclear energy, tourism and people-to-people and cultural engagement. Both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, France and China hold same opinions on and interests in many international affairs and have conducted close communication and coordination. France hopes to cooperate with China to promote the Climate Change Conference in Paris for positive results, is willing to make active and concerted efforts with China to successfully hold the G20 Summit next year, and supports necessary reform of the international financial institutions. France is willing to work with the UK, Germany and other European countries to actively promote the development of EU-China cooperative relations.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly issued the "Joint Statement of Heads of State of China and France on Climate Change", and jointly witnessed the signing of a number of cooperative documents between the governments and enterprises of the two countries, involving many fields such as economy, trade, finance, energy, environmental protection and people-to-people and cultural engagement.
Xi Jinping and François Hollande also jointly met the press and answered questions on topics such as China-France relations and climate change.
Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for François Hollande at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Arken Imirbaki, Yang Jiechi, Ma Peihua and others attended the event.