Beijing and Paris to hold strategic dialogue

Beijing and Paris will hold a strategic dialogue in China from Sunday to Monday to communicate on deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has announced.

The China-France Strategic Dialogue will be co-chaired by Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and French President's diplomatic counselor Emmanuel Bonne, Mao said on Friday.

They will also exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, Mao said.

This is the second time this year that the two officials will co-chair the strategic dialogue.

China-France relations enjoy sound growth, Mao said. In April, French President Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to China and in June, Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to France and attended the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

China hopes to take this dialogue as an opportunity to further consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, advance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and step up communication and coordination on multilateral issues, Mao said.

She also expects the dialogue will help deepen the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, promote the sound and steady growth of China-Europe relations, and contribute to upholding multilateralism and addressing global challenges.