China, France to hold high-level strategic and economic dialogues this year

BEIJING (Reuters) -China and France will hold three high-level dialogues on strategic, economic, financial and cultural issues this year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after meeting with his French counterpart in Beijing on Thursday.

In a meeting Wang described as "constructive" that included discussions on bilateral and China-EU relations, he said both countries will also put to use the consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries for in-depth communication on common issues.

Wang met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday morning at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Barrot is in China on a two-day visit that ends on Friday.

"In the face of profound changes in the international landscape, both sides should, as comprehensive strategic partners, demonstrate historical awareness, uphold multilateralism, oppose unilateralism," he told reporters after the meeting.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace, while exploring innovative industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, intelligent connected vehicles, green hydrogen and biomanufacturing.

"We will also encourage more capable and willing Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in France," Wang said.

Wang skirted the trade dispute between both countries but Barrot emphasised seeking a resolution to it.

France opposes any form of trade war and advocates dialogue on trade issues, particularly between the European Union and China, Barrot said, reiterating his country's defense of its cognac industry.

China had in October imposed provisional tariffs ranging from 30.6% to 39% on European brandy imports, days after the European Union voted for tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The move affected French cognac brands the most, shrinking the value of their exports by nearly a quarter last year.

"I know that our common goal is to reach a rapid solution to this issue, which would allow us to focus our energies and efforts on building partnerships and investments for the future within the framework of a positive agenda," he said.

On the Ukraine war, Barrot pushed China to play a role in convincing Russia to negotiate with serious and good-faith proposals.

France and China's relations will be "all the more productive and all the stronger" if commercial and security interests were taken into account, he added.

Both ministers also commended their countries' joint efforts towards adddressing climate challenges.

"China is resolute in its commitment to advancing international climate governance and addressing climate challenges," Wang said.

France called on China for high-level participation alongside it towards commitments to the oceans.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Shi Bu; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)