China and France hold strategic dialogue
On October 10, 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, held the 28th China-France Strategic Dialogue with Bonne, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the French President, in Datong. The two sides engaged in in-depth and prolonged communication on deepening China-France strategic cooperation and reached broad consensus. Both sides also affirmed the positive results achieved by the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism.
Wang Yi stated that the China-France Strategic Dialogue is the first high-level strategic consultation mechanism established between China and a major Western power. It has played a vital role in the growth of China-France relations, particularly in serving head-of-state diplomacy, consolidating political mutual trust, and demonstrating the due responsibility of a major power. Currently, the international situation is increasingly characterized by change and instability. China is willing to work with France to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, and make new efforts to ensure the steady and long-term development of China-France and China-EU relations, as well as to promote world peace, stability, and development.
Wang Yi stated that China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with France, continue to expand and strengthen cooperation in traditional areas such as aerospace and nuclear energy, broaden cooperation in emerging fields such as advanced manufacturing, green and low-carbon technologies, and artificial intelligence, and deepen exchanges in education, culture, youth, sports, and local areas. He expressed hope that France would provide policy support and a favorable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in France. Both China and France are major countries that uphold independence and multilateralism, and should continue to strengthen communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations, jointly promote the implementation of the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and work together to build a more just and equitable global governance system. The Taiwan issue concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and China hopes that France will adhere to its one-China policy commitment and safeguard the political foundation of China-France relations.
Bonne stated that the friendship between France and China has a long history, with the first French president to visit China visiting Datong in 1973, leaving behind a beautiful chapter in the history of bilateral relations. France is willing to work with China to carry forward this historical friendship and continue to build a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect, friendship, mutual trust, solid foundations, and vitality. France adheres to the one-China policy, and this will not change. France looks forward to close high-level exchanges, strengthened people-to-people exchanges, and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, nuclear energy, outer space, the internet, artificial intelligence, and new technologies, to better benefit the people of both countries. France will continue to provide a predictable business environment for Chinese companies investing in France. France positively appraises China’s global initiatives and is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to play a more constructive role in international cooperation to address global crises and achieve common development.
Wang Yi stated that the second regular meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism achieved positive progress, demonstrating that as comprehensive strategic partners, both sides can effectively handle trade and economic differences through dialogue, uphold the principles of multilateralism, safeguard the free trade system, and promote the return of China-EU relations to a stable and healthy development momentum. He expressed his hope that France, as a core member of the EU, will continue to play a constructive role in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.
Wang Yi emphasized that trust is the foundation and basis of China-EU relations, and trade differences are only a temporary phenomenon. Both sides should adhere to the partnership and cooperative tone, placing trade issues in their proper place within China-EU relations to promote win-win outcomes, avoid lose-lose situations, and achieve an upward balance rather than a downward balance. Boehner stated that this round of EU-China trade and investment consultations is an important step in a positive direction. Europe’s development needs China. The EU does not want a trade war with China, does not seek decoupling from China, and is willing to be a credible and reliable partner of China, defining EU-China relations with balance and cooperation, and achieving common development through trust and a spirit of contract.
The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East. Both sides agreed to continue to leverage the strategic dialogue mechanism and maintain dialogue, communication, and coordination on international affairs.
: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China