French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot commenced a two-day visit to China on Thursday, engaging in discussions with his Chinese counterpart regarding the situation in Ukraine and ongoing trade disputes between China and Europe, The Associated Press reports.
While details of immediate progress were not disclosed, both sides expressed positive sentiments regarding the overall state of their relationship.
Barrot met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who, in a subsequent news conference, stated that both countries should “choose multilateralism over unilateralism … and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes instead of decoupling and isolation.” This language is frequently employed by China in criticisms of US foreign policy and the Western-led political order.
Barrot later met with Premier Li Qiang, who noted:
“As we all know, the world is currently not peaceful, and instability and uncertainty are increasing.” Li added, “As two independent and responsible major countries, China and France should strengthen cooperation. Through our cooperation, we should inject more certainty into bilateral relations and the world.”
Barrot responded that the world was “indeed going through troubled times where a number of major principles, particularly those of multilateralism, are being shaken.”
On Friday, Barrot will travel to Shanghai for meetings with local officials and business leaders.
France has voiced its support for Ukraine, while Beijing has maintained diplomatic ties with Russia and has become a significant purchaser of Russian natural resources.
