Wang Yi Meets with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna

On July 8, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Bali Island.

Wang Yi said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-France relations have maintained a stable development momentum, which not only brings benefits to the two countries and two peoples, but also injects stability into the volatile world. China values the mutual trust and friendship between the two countries, highly appreciates and firmly supports France's adherence to strategic autonomy, and is willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with France, deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new levels.

Colonna said that France and China maintain close communication and good cooperation on a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. The French side also cherishes the France-China friendship and is committed to continuously advancing the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership. France firmly believes in upholding the UN Charter and respecting the principle of sovereignty, values China's important role in maintaining global stability, and believes that strengthening France-China strategic cooperation is crucial to addressing current global challenges. President Emmanuel Macron advocates building a harmonious multi-polar world, and France will consistently uphold the tradition of strategic autonomy.

The two sides agreed to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, facilitate the flow of personnel, and strengthen cooperation in addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

The two sides exchanged views on China-EU relations. Wang Yi said that as two major forces with global influence, China and the EU should adhere to the keynote of win-win cooperation and the defined role of a comprehensive strategic partnership, and be "cooperative" and "united", not "decoupled" and "confrontational". China appreciates and expects the French side to continue to play a constructive role in China-EU relations. Colonna said, the French side has always supported advancing EU-China relations and advocates accumulating consensus through dialogue. It will continue to be forward-looking, adhere to rationality, maintain openness and deepen EU-China cooperation in various fields.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula and other issues.