2nd LD Writethru: Xi, Macron pledge over phone to deepen ties, jointly build open global trade system

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pledged over phone that China and France would jointly implement their consensus on deepening ties and promote multilateralism to build an open global trade system.

Macron congratulated Xi on being elected Chinese president on Saturday at the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.

Xi noted that Macron's congratulatory phone call shortly after the conclusion of the two sessions is an embodiment of great importance that he attaches to China's development and relations with France.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, and the just-concluded two sessions of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, carry great significance to China's future, said Xi.

The coming period of time will be one during which China continues to deepen reform, expand opening up, achieve greater development, as well as make more contributions to the world, the Chinese president said, adding that he believes China's development will provide more opportunities to China-France and China-EU (European Union) cooperation.

Macron said that cherishing the friendship between France and China, he took note of the various results achieved at the two sessions.

The French president added that he is willing to work together with Xi to implement key consensus reached by the two sides on deepening France-China relations.

Xi stressed that he and Macron reached important consensus on strengthening China-France cooperation in all fields during the French president's visit to China at the beginning of the year, and provided fresh impetus for bilateral relations.

China is willing to work with France to boost high-level exchanges, carry out mechanisms of dialogue and consensus on cooperation, and communicate on major issues in a timely manner, so as to make the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership stronger, Xi said.

Both countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and countries of global influence, Xi noted.

In the current complex and ever-changing international situation, China stands ready to join forces with France to enhance strategic communication and coordination, dedicate to safeguarding and improving the existing international order and system of global governance, uphold multilateralism, and promote multi-polarization and economic globalization, so as to build an open global trade system, he said.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on global and regional hot spot issues of mutual concern. Enditem