CHINESE President Xi Jinping on Sunday stressed the importance of maintaining a sound China-France relationship to both countries’ long-term development and its potential impact on the world.

Xi, who is paying a state visit to France, made the remarks when meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the southern French city of Nice.

Recalling the history of friendly exchanges between China and France, Xi noted that France is the first major Western country to establish official diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

France, he added, is the first country to form a strategic partnership and conduct strategic dialogue with China and the first to carry out civilian nuclear-energy cooperation with China.

China has always regarded France as a priority partner of cooperation, and the two peoples keep a special friendship, he added.

Both countries are committed to building an open world economy and working together to meet the common challenges facing humanity, Xi said, adding that China and France have cooperated successfully on many occasions in the field of climate change, playing a positive leading role in the world.

Hailing his successful visit to China last year, Macron said that the two countries have been implementing the important consensus reached by him and Xi over the past year, strengthening cooperation on economy, trade, technology and culture.

France pays close attention to the Belt and Road Initiative, regards China as an important strategic cooperation partner, and appreciates China’s important role in and contribution to climate change and other international affairs, Macron said.

Xi also held talks with Prince Albert II, head of state of the Principality of Monaco, in Monaco on Sunday.

Describing Xi’s visit as a “historic” one, Prince Albert II said Monaco is willing to expand cooperation with China in fields like science and technology, innovation, ecological and environmental protection, wildlife conservation and renewable energy. (Xinhua)