Li calls for further expanding Sino-French cooperation

China and France signed on Thursday an array of cooperation agreements in a wide range of fields, including aviation, space research and nuclear energy, as part of their efforts to enhance bilateral ties amid rising rhetoric of "de-risking" from China.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who arrived in Paris on Wednesday afternoon after concluding his official visit to Germany, and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne witnessed the signing of these agreements after holding bilateral talks in the French capital.

Premier Li hailed Sino-French bilateral ties during his talks with Borne, saying both countries respect independence, and are committed to maintaining a balanced and stable international order as well as promoting global peace and development.

China is willing to work with France to uphold mutual benefit and actively promote balanced development of bilateral trade, expand market access, continuously optimize the business environment and enhance cooperation in new fields, he said.

He underlined the need for both countries to tap the potential for cooperation in green development, technological innovation, digital trade and other areas, making a "larger pie" of common interests.

Speaking on the ties between China and the European Union, the premier said that China has always viewed the EU as an important pole in a multipolar world.

Strengthening China-EU cooperation is a strategic choice based on their respective interests, and it is not dependent on or meant to target third parties, Li noted. China is willing to work with the EU to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination and create conditions for long-term and stable cooperation, he said.

Borne said that France is willing to participate in China's high-quality development, appreciates China's commitment to opening-up and will not take discriminatory measures against Chinese enterprises.

She said that France wants to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as trade, investment, aviation, food and agriculture, green development and health, and jointly respond to global challenges such as climate change.

The EU adheres to strategic autonomy and does not support "decoupling" with China or disruption of global industrial and supply chains, she added.

After his arrival in Paris on Wednesday, Li attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Chinese and French business communities. French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and more than 100 representatives from the business communities of the two countries attended the event.

While addressing the gathering, Li emphasized the global significance of ties between China and France, saying that their sound political mutual trust enables the two countries to see "stability, certainty and common development opportunities" in their interdependence rather than risks.

Noting that interdependence is an inevitable result of economic globalization, the premier called on both countries to jointly uphold the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The premier reiterated China's commitment to deepening reform and expanding opening-up, saying the nation will step up intellectual property rights protection, foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign companies in China in accordance with the law.

Le Maire hailed the sound momentum and fruitful results of the development of bilateral ties and cooperation. He said that French companies remain attracted to the Chinese market, and stand ready to deepen cooperation with China in fields such as aviation, food and renewable energy, in order to build high-quality partnerships and achieve win-win results.

Li was invited by the French government to pay an official visit and attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Chinese premier paid a visit to the innovation hub of Schneider Electric in Paris. He listened to an introduction by Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO of the company, about its cooperation with China.

Li said that China has a large market, a full range of supporting facilities and many talents, and investing in China will definitely bring rich returns.

Tricoire said that Schneider Electric has been a witness of, contributor to and beneficiary of China's reform and opening-up, and that it is optimistic about China's development. The company will continue to invest in China, and actively participate in China's green infrastructure and development projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative, he added.