Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron chat over tea at Baiyun Hall of the Pine Garden in Guangzhou, April 7, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to carry forward the traditional China-France friendship and push the relations to a new level.

As the year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, both sides should pass the baton of history, stick to the original intention in establishing the diplomatic relations, carry forward the traditional friendship and push the China-France relations to a new level, Xi said during a telephone conversation with Macron.

Xi also said that China stands ready to work with France in sending a strong signal of jointly addressing the issue of climate change

He said China is glad to see the entry of an increasing number of French products to the Chinese market, and welcomes more investment of French enterprises in China.

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China hopes France could provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for the investment of Chinese enterprises in France, Xi said.

He also said that China stands ready to work with France in sending a strong signal of jointly addressing the issue of climate change, and in promoting the success of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai.