On March 27, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced the common understandings reached by the two sides when jointly meeting the press with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.

Wang Yi said, both sides believe that China-France relations uphold the national spirit of independence and fulfill the responsibility of major countries in pursuing peaceful development. In the face of profound changes in the international landscape, the two sides, as comprehensive strategic partners, should cultivate a sense of historical responsibility, oppose unilateralism with multilateralism, counter bloc confrontation with dialogue and cooperation, and reject decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains with mutual benefit and win-win results, so that China-France relations can achieve new outcomes in the second sixty years. Both sides agreed to actively advance exchanges and cooperation in the next phase under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

First, strengthen communication and coordination. The two sides should ensure the success of the three high-level dialogues on strategy, economy and finance, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, hold meetings of the regular parliamentary exchange mechanism at an appropriate time, and make good use of the consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries to deepen communication, increase understanding and build consensus. Respecting each other's core interests is the cornerstone of China-France strategic mutual trust. The Chinese side appreciates the French side's reiteration of its firm commitment to the one-China policy.

Second, expand opening up and cooperation. The two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional areas including agriculture, nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace, and tap into the potential for cooperation in innovative industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, intelligent connectivity, green hydrogen energy, and bio-manufacturing. China welcomes the recent increase in investment by many French companies in China and encourages more capable and willing Chinese companies to invest and do business in France. China expects that France will provide a fair, just, and predictable business environment for Chinese companies. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). China and the EU should remain cooperative partners for mutual benefit and win-win results, properly resolve trade disputes through consultation, and open up new prospects for cooperation.

Third, strengthen people-to-people ties. The two sides should continue to foster the upsurge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, effectively implement 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 during his visit to France in May last year, restart the high-level forum on cooperation between local governments, promote the establishment of such projects as the Carbon Neutrality Center and joint laboratories, further facilitate personnel exchanges, enhance exchanges in various fields such as culture, education and scientific research, and continuously bring the two peoples closer.

Fourth, meet global challenges together. The two sides should firmly support the central role of the United Nations (U.N.) and uphold basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. China supports France in hosting events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and will send a high-level delegation to attend the U.N. Ocean Conference this June in Nice. The Chinese side also welcomes the French side's active participation in multilateral meetings initiated by China. Both sides will strengthen cooperation in areas such as safeguarding the multilateral trading system and reforming the international financial system.