Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in France yesterday, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. A meeting with Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was planned for today, as part of European tour he is undertaking. The meeting with France is particularly important, given France’s position in the EU, which relationship China is also intent on improving. France has also indicated that they would (under U.S. pressure) phase out Huawei’s presence over the next few years.
China Daily reported that “The pressing task now, Wang said, is to restart bilateral exchanges in all areas in an orderly manner while keeping regular COVID-19 containment measures in place, including strengthening coordination and cooperation in the research and development of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines and in prevention of future pandemics, so as to overcome the pandemic as soon as possible and make positive contribution to the establishment of a community of common health for mankind.”
Wang said that the two sides should continue to firmly support the WHO in coordinating and leading the global COVID-19 response, and to oppose politicizing the pandemic, and that China is ready to speed up cooperation with France on major projects for win-win outcomes.
“Noting that Europe is an important force in a multipolar world, Wang said that China and Europe have always been partners instead of rivals with their consensus far outweighing differences.
