On March 27, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that last year, China and France jointly celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The close exchanges between the two countries demonstrate the vitality of China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. This year opens up the second 60 years of China-France relations, and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot's visit comes at an opportune moment. China is ready to work with France to demonstrate historical initiative, follow the guidance of the common understandings between the heads of state, plan key bilateral agendas, strengthen dialogue across all sectors and at all levels, transcend differences, deepen cooperation, and make a good start for the second 60 years.

Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. China and France, both founding members of the United Nations, permanent members of the Security Council, and independent major countries, are defenders and builders of the post-WWII international order. Amid the changing and turbulent international landscape, the two sides should demonstrate the responsibility of major countries, oppose unilateralism with multilateralism, counter bloc confrontation with dialogue and cooperation, resist decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains with mutual benefit and win-win results, and work towards building a more just and equitable global governance system. The world must not be allowed to return to the "jungle" where the strong prey on the weak. To this end, the two sides should enhance strategic coordination and support each other's significant multilateral ideas and propositions.

Wang Yi said that China and France have established the "French farm to Chinese dining table" whole-chain rapid coordination mechanism, forming a cooperation pattern of deep integration. China regards France as a priority partner in achieving high-quality development and is ready to deepen cooperation in traditional sectors, encourage mutual investment, and expand cooperation in emerging fields to inject new momentum into China-France cooperation. The two sides should deliver on the initiative to "increase the number of French students studying in China to over 10,000 and double the scale of European youth exchanges within the next three years" proposed by President Xi Jinping, build the shining example of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and consolidate the foundation of public support from the two countries.

Jean-Noël Barrot spoke positively of the achievements of France-China pragmatic cooperation. He said that the current international situation is marked by increasing uncertainty and rising protectionism, and the importance of France-China relations has become even more prominent. It is necessary for both sides to strengthen strategic coordination, play their roles as major countries, and safeguard world peace and stability. France always regards China as an important partner, firmly pursues the one-China policy, and is committed to developing a future-oriented and long-term stable France-China relationship. France supports free trade, opposes decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains, and objects to trade wars. France is willing to rise above differences and disputes through high-quality dialogue, engage in equal and reciprocal cooperation, expand two-way investment, enrich people-to-people exchanges, deepen friendship between the two peoples, and raise positive agendas into bilateral relations.

The two sides had an exchange of views on China-EU relations. Wang Yi said that the cooperation between China and the EU outweighs competition, and consensus outweighs differences, and that the two sides are positioned to further improve their relationship. China supports the European integration process, and supports Europe in upholding strategic autonomy. Wang Yi expressed the hope that the European side will work with China in the same direction to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations as an opportunity to summarize successful experience, uphold the partnership, properly resolve differences, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly open up new prospects for China-EU relations.

Jean-Noël Barrot said that as an independent pole in the world, Europe adheres to strategic autonomy and is willing to conduct constructive dialogue with China, jointly uphold multilateralism, call for peace, and address global challenges. France supports dialogue between the EU and China to resolve trade differences through consultation.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common interest and concern.

After the talks, the two sides issued a joint statement on climate change.