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Xi Jinping calls for French respect and cooperation in meeting with Macron
- France’s leader responds by urging a united approach between Beijing and Paris against the war in Ukraine
- Meeting comes one day after the Chinese president’s talks with his US counterpart Joe Biden at the G20 in Bali
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged France to maintain its independence in foreign relations and “respect mutual core interests” in the first face-to-face meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019.
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“At present, the world has entered a new period of turmoil and change. As … important forces in the multipolar world, China, France and Europe should adhere to the spirit of independence, openness and cooperation,” Xi said, as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday morning.
He also called for them to “promote bilateral relations on the right track, and inject stability and positive energy into the world”.
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The two sides should “respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and deepen practical cooperation”, state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
China also hoped Paris could provide a fairer, more just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in France, Xi told Macron.
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