Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Alain Mérieux, President of the Mérieux Foundation, and his wife Chantal in Beijing on Monday. During the meeting, President Xi emphasized the importance of China-France relations and expressed a strong desire to elevate bilateral cooperation.
“China cherishes its friendship with France and is willing to further strengthen high-level exchanges and cooperation to push bilateral relations to a higher level,” President Xi stated.
President Xi acknowledged the longstanding support from the Mérieux couple and their foundation in promoting China-France relations and contributing to China’s health sector. The Mérieux Foundation has been instrumental in fostering collaboration in medical research and public health initiatives between the two countries.
Addressing the current global landscape, President Xi noted, “The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and has entered a period of turmoil.” He highlighted the challenges facing humanity, including health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis.
The meeting underscores China’s commitment to deepening international partnerships amid global uncertainties. Strengthening ties with France, a key player in European and global affairs, reflects China’s strategic approach to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration on pressing global issues.
The engagement between President Xi and the Mérieux Foundation reinforces the role of non-governmental actors in enhancing diplomatic relations and addressing global health challenges. As the world navigates complex changes, China and France appear poised to work closely to contribute to global stability and prosperity.
Reference(s):
China cherishes friendship with France, Xi Jinping tells Alain Merieux
cgtn.com
