In the spring and summer, in the Pyrenees in the southwest of France, a meaningful alpine meeting takes place in a pleasant atmosphere.
On May 7, local time, at the special invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, President Xi Jinping left Paris by special plane and flew to Tarbes, the capital of the Hautes-Pyrenees, to continue his state visit to France. This province with the word "cow" in its name has a special meaning for Macron, carrying his unforgettable childhood and being called his "second home" by the outside world.
At the "Shepherd's Station" in the Turmalai Pass, Macron and his wife Brigitte warmly greeted Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, and enjoyed the shepherd's dance with a strong southern French style performed by local villagers, and took photos with them.
From Guangzhou's "Pine Garden Walk" to Tarbes' "Post Station Gathering", the good story of "high mountains and flowing water meet bosom friends" between China and France continues to be written.
"Special" benefits –
Visiting Macron's "second home"
Sitting by the window and overlooking the mountains, the two heads of state had a strategic communication on a number of important issues in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
On May 7, local time, at the special invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, President Xi Jinping took a special plane to visit the Hautes-Pyrenees province in southwestern France. At the "Shepherd's Station" on the Turmalai Pass, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan sat by the window with Macron and his wife Brigitte, and had strategic communication on some important issues in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yao Dawei
"I was deeply and well impressed by last year's visit to China, especially the Songyuan meeting in Guangzhou." This time Xi Jinping's visit to France, Macron carefully arranged, "inviting guests to eat at home" reflects full sincerity and high-standard courtesy.
Zhao Yongsheng, director of the French Economic Research Center at the University of International Business and Economics and doctoral supervisor at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, said in an interview with People's Daily Online that Macron's move sends a strong signal that the French side attaches special importance to China.
"From the 'Nice Night Talk' and 'Yu Garden Tea Party' to the 'Pine Garden Meeting' and 'Post Station Gathering', small-scale, informal, and family-style interactions in places of special significance outside the capital can effectively deepen mutual understanding and enhance mutual trust by conducting in-depth exchanges and communication around topics of common interest." Zhao Yongsheng explained.
"Special" relationships –
A new chapter for win-win partners
China-France relations have a precious history, unique values and important missions, and have practical cooperation with a wide range of interests.
Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-France relations have created a number of "firsts" and have long been at the forefront of China-West relations. France is the first Western power to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China at the ambassadorial level, the first Western power to establish comprehensive strategic relations with China, the first Western power to carry out civil nuclear energy cooperation with China, and the first country to hold cultural years and set up cultural centers with China......
Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-France relations have always stood at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, and have become a model of mutual achievement and common progress for countries with different civilizations, systems and levels of development. Adhering to the "China-France Spirit" of independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit, the two countries have gone through an extraordinary journey together and established a close and lasting comprehensive strategic partnership.
Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the economies of the two countries have formed a strong symbiotic relationship. The bilateral trade volume has increased by nearly 800 times compared with the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations, reaching 78.9 billion US dollars, the cumulative two-way investment has exceeded 26 billion US dollars, and more than 2,000 French companies are deeply engaged in the Chinese market......
During Xi Jinping's visit to France, China and France issued four joint statements on the situation in the Middle East, artificial intelligence and global governance, biodiversity and oceans, and agricultural exchanges and cooperation, and signed nearly 20 bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of green development, aviation, agriculture and food, commerce, and people-to-people exchanges.
Zhao Yongsheng said, "China's market size and purchasing power are the main driving forces to attract French manufacturers to invest in China, and there are still many areas worth exploring in the French market, and there is still room for cooperation between the two sides in many fields in the future."
On the afternoon of May 6, local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu
"Exceptional" years –
Jiazi friendship, "two-way running"
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism and the Year of the Paris Olympic Games.
On April 1, as an important project of the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism, the exhibition "The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles: Sino-French Exchanges in the 17th and 18th Centuries" opened at the Mandarin Hall of the Forbidden City. The picture shows the audience visiting the exhibition on the same day. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liangkuai
On January 5, the opening ceremony of the Sino-French Cultural Tourism Year was held at the Harbin Ice and Snow World.
On January 25, French composer Charles Gounod's classic opera "Romeo and Juliet" landed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, kicking off the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
On January 30, "Hello! China" tourism promotion conference was held at the Palais Brunnia in Paris.
On January 31, the opening concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism was held at the Royal Opera House of the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
On April 1, the exhibition "The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles: Sino-French Exchanges in the 17th and 18th Centuries" opened at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
On April 20, China appeared as the guest of honor at the 37th Belk International Kite Festival.
On May 2nd, the Versailles Royal Opera House Gala Concert and the "Brilliant Versailles" exhibition opened at the Hangzhou Yinglan Center.
On May 6th, the 6th meeting of the Sino-French Entrepreneur Committee and related activities were successfully held at the Marigni Theater in Paris.
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In the second half of the year, France will also be the Guest of Honour at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services and the 7th China International Import Expo.
"China and France have not only achieved mutual benefit and win-win results in the economic field, but also deepened cooperation in the fields of culture, ideology and people-to-people. In the future, it is expected that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership will be more ambitious and dynamic. Zhao Yongsheng said.
The friendship between the two heads of state is a new connotation of the spirit of China and France.
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