China and France will hold three high-level dialogues on strategic, economic, financial and cultural issues this year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after meeting with his French counterpart in Beijing on Thursday.
In a meeting Wang described as "constructive" that included discussions on bilateral and China-EU relations, he said both countries will also put to use the consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries for in-depth communication on common issues.
Wang met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday morning at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Barrot is in China on a two-day visit that ends on Friday.
"In the face of profound changes in the international landscape, both sides should, as comprehensive strategic partners, demonstrate historical awareness, uphold multilateralism, oppose unilateralism," he told reporters after the meeting.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace, while exploring innovative industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, intelligent connected vehicles, green hydrogen and biomanufacturing.
"We will also encourage more capable and willing Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in France," Wang said.
Wang skirted the trade dispute between both countries but Barrot emphasised seeking a resolution to it.
France opposes any form of trade war and advocates dialogue on trade issues, particularly between the European Union and China, Barrot said, reiterating his country's defense of its cognac industry.
China had in October imposed provisional tariffs ranging from 30.6% to 39% on European brandy imports, days after the European Union voted for tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
The move affected French cognac brands the most, shrinking the value of their exports by nearly a quarter last year.
"I know that our common goal is to reach a rapid solution to this issue, which would allow us to focus our energies and efforts on building partnerships and investments for the future within the framework of a positive agenda," he said.
On the Ukraine war, Barrot pushed China to play a role in convincing Russia to negotiate with serious and good-faith proposals.
France and China's relations will be "all the more productive and all the stronger" if commercial and security interests were taken into account, he added.
Both ministers also commended their countries' joint efforts towards adddressing climate challenges.
"China is resolute in its commitment to advancing international climate governance and addressing climate challenges," Wang said.
France called on China for high-level participation alongside it towards commitments to the oceans.
South Korea, China, and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, aiming to strengthen regional trade cooperation amid growing concerns over U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.
China has urged the EU to join forces in resisting U.S. protectionism and safeguarding global trade, as Vice Premier He Lifeng met EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic in Beijing. While both sides seek stronger ties, the EU stresses the need to rebalance trade relations amid ongoing market access concerns.
Kim Jong Un watched tests of new AI drones and wants to increase the production
A Chinese medical team has successfully transplanted a gene-edited pig liver into a brain-dead human, marking a breakthrough in xenotransplantation. The organ functioned normally, showing no signs of acute rejection or viral transmission during a 10-day observation period.
President Trump confirmed he is serious about a potential third term, despite constitutional limits, saying it is “far too early” to decide. While U.S. presidents are restricted to two terms, Trump allies are exploring ways to challenge this rule ahead of the 2028 election.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Paul Marchant has resigned as CEO of Primark with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in a social interaction last year. Parent company AB Foods expressed disappointment, citing the importance of integrity. Finance director Eoin Tonge will serve as interim CEO.
Abu Dhabi will host International Jazz Day 2025, featuring a star-studded gala at Etihad Arena on April 30. Broadcast worldwide, the event will showcase top jazz, blues, and classical artists, including Herbie Hancock and Marcus Miller.
Three of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week when their vehicle sunk in a peat bog have been found dead. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed deep sorrow and stated that the search for the remaining soldier is ongoing.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing 2056 people and leaving 3,900 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Trump confirmed he is serious about a potential third term, despite constitutional limits, saying it is “far too early” to decide. While U.S. presidents are restricted to two terms, Trump allies are exploring ways to challenge this rule ahead of the 2028 election.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Three of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week when their vehicle sunk in a peat bog have been found dead. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed deep sorrow and stated that the search for the remaining soldier is ongoing.
President Trump confirmed he is serious about a potential third term, despite constitutional limits, saying it is “far too early” to decide. While U.S. presidents are restricted to two terms, Trump allies are exploring ways to challenge this rule ahead of the 2028 election.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Paul Marchant has resigned as CEO of Primark with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in a social interaction last year. Parent company AB Foods expressed disappointment, citing the importance of integrity. Finance director Eoin Tonge will serve as interim CEO.
Abu Dhabi will host International Jazz Day 2025, featuring a star-studded gala at Etihad Arena on April 30. Broadcast worldwide, the event will showcase top jazz, blues, and classical artists, including Herbie Hancock and Marcus Miller.
Three of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week when their vehicle sunk in a peat bog have been found dead. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed deep sorrow and stated that the search for the remaining soldier is ongoing.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment