Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down at Paris Orly Airport today to commence his third state visit to France, warmly welcomed on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations. His visit, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, marks a historic milestone that echoes his previous visits in 2014 and 2019 during the 50th and 55th anniversaries of their bilateral ties.
"Once again setting foot on the soil of your beautiful country, I bring with me the warmest greetings from the Chinese people," President Xi stated in his arrival speech. He expressed a nostalgic sense of déjà vu and emphasized the deep, historical connections between China and France as pivotal representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations.
The relationship between the two nations has been notably robust, characterized by mutual admiration that dates back to the French Enlightenment, when thinkers like Voltaire and Hugo turned their attention to Chinese culture. Over the decades, this appreciation has only grown, with China and France breaking Cold War barriers 60 years ago by establishing ambassadorial-level relations.
In his address, Xi highlighted the dynamic cooperation between the two countries in fields such as aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agrifood, and green development. He also pointed out their collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity protection, and world governance.
The visit promises to further enhance the Sino-French relationship, with Xi planning to engage in deep discussions with Macron on several pressing issues, including the development of China-Europe relations and major global matters. "I hope this visit will help cement our long-standing friendship, enhance political trust, build strategic consensus, and deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields," Xi noted.
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