Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron presented a united front during their joint press conference in Beijing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, following high-level talks aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation. The leaders emphasized shared commitments to economic collaboration and climate action during their address to international media.
President Xi highlighted enhanced partnerships in renewable energy and artificial intelligence, stating: "China-France relations have entered a new phase of mutual benefit. Our cooperation in green technologies will set benchmarks for sustainable development." Macron echoed this sentiment, announcing plans for joint research initiatives in carbon-neutral manufacturing to be launched in early 2026.
The discussions addressed key concerns for global investors, including streamlined trade protocols for agricultural and luxury goods. Both leaders confirmed the completion of negotiations for a cross-border digital commerce framework scheduled for implementation in Q2 2026.
Cultural exchanges formed a significant part of the dialogue, with new visa facilitation measures announced for academic and tourism purposes. This development comes as China prepares to host the 2026 Winter Cultural Festival in Zhangjiakou, expected to feature prominent French artistic collaborations.
