24th March 2023 – (Beijing) Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held phone talks with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron, at the latter’s request. During the conversation, the two officials reached a consensus on carrying out high-level exchanges and promoting China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, briefed Bonne upon request of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, highlighting that it was an important visit between the two big neighbours, and was a trip not only of cooperation but also one of peace.
The two heads of state, President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, reached a series of consensus on expanding bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to adhering to multilateralism, upholding the authority of the United Nations and jointly promoting world multi-polarisation and greater democracy in international relations, he said.
Saying China continues to uphold its basic position of promoting peace talks on the Ukrainian issue, Wang noted that the joint statement issued by the two heads of state made important explanations on the issue, sent a voice of peace to the international community and demonstrated the desire for dialogue.
He said that it met the common aspiration of the majority of countries and made clear the right direction for the political settlement of the crisis. The Chinese side hopes that France and other European countries would also play their due role in this regard, Wang said, adding that ceasefire, resumption of peace talks and political settlement of the crisis should become the strategic consensus between China and Europe.
For his part, Bonne expressed appreciation for China’s positive role in promoting peace talks. On the Ukrainian issue, France does not support camp confrontation, he said. Both France and China want a political and negotiated end to the crisis, he said, adding that France is willing to make joint efforts with China to push for a ceasefire and find a peaceful solution.