On 28 August local time, French President Emmanuel Macron met at the Élysée Palace with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who was on an official visit to France.

Wang conveyed a message from President Xi Jinping to President Emmanuel Macron and presented the latter with some books from Xi as gifts. Wang said that Xi's message shows that China values its relations with France and cherishes the friendship and trust between the two Presidents. China is ready to work with France to earnestly follow through the important common understanding reached by their Presidents and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Wang emphasized that the two countries' immediate priority is to resume orderly exchanges in various areas under the new normal of COVID-19. The two sides need to strengthen coordination and cooperation on research and development of medicines and vaccines and on prevention of major epidemics in the future. Together, China and France will be able to defeat the virus at an early date and contribute to a global community of health for all.

Wang called on the two countries to keep supporting WHO's coordinating and leading role in global cooperation against COVID-19 and oppose politicizing and labeling the virus. China is ready to work with France to speed up cooperation on major projects for win-win results.

Wang described Europe as an important player in a multipolar world, and stressed that with far more common understanding than differences, China and Europe are cooperation partners rather than rivals. China commends President Macron's call for Europe to enhance strategic independence, which reflects not only the French tradition of independence, but also Europe's status as a pillar of the world.

With unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, Wang called on China and Europe to jointly uphold multilateralism, safeguard the basic norms governing international relations and build an open world economy. China welcomes more stability brought by France and Europe to today's world and hopes that the three sides jointly take the next steps on their multilateral agenda, deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU and stand on the right side of history.

Macron thanked President Xi for the important message and the books, and asked Wang to send his sincere regards to Xi. He stressed the significance of maintaining strategic communication between the two countries, and welcomed Wang's visit to France and Europe. He said that France applauds China's commitment to making COVID-19 vaccine a global public good once available and is keen to deepen cooperation against the virus and secure more cooperation outcomes in such areas as economy, trade and agriculture.

Macron expressed France's readiness to work with China to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership, support multilateralism, enhance communication and coordination in public health, climate change, biodiversity and Africa-related issues, and implement the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries. He expected the two sides to make solid plans for the upcoming, important exchanges and political agenda between the EU and China, and expressed his desire to visit China again at an early date.

During his visit to France, Wang also met with French President's Foreign Policy Advisor Emmanuel Bonne and will hold talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.