On the evening of July 5, President Xi Jinping held a video summit with French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel in Beijing.
This is not only the first dialogue between the leaders of the three countries after more than two months, but also the first time President Xi has attended international multilateral diplomatic activities after the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
How to firmly steer the course of China-EU relations?
This video summit released a wealth of information to the world.
Frequent dialogues highlight the importance of China-EU relations
Since last year, President Xi Jinping has 6 telephone conversations with French President Macron and 5 telephone conversations with German Chancellor Merkel, maintaining close communication.
In addition to the G20 leaders’ special summit on the new crown pneumonia and the leaders’ climate summit and other multilateral diplomatic occasions, the leaders of the three countries held video meetings or summits on December 30 last year and April 16 this year. They are talking about major issues related to the development direction of China-EU relations, the well-being of the people of China and Europe and the people of the whole world.
△Beijing Great Hall of the People, the venue before the start of the video summit.
(Photo by Fan Yiming, CCTV reporter)
President Xi once pointed out that as the world's two major forces, two markets, and two civilizations, what China and Europe advocate, oppose, and cooperate is of global significance.
At present, mankind faces many common challenges and is standing at a new crossroads.
In a meeting with the leaders of the European Union in Germany in September last year, President Xi emphasized that the more we face this situation, the more we must firmly grasp the general direction of mutual support, solidarity and cooperation, and the more we must unswervingly promote the comprehensive China-EU strategy. The partnership has developed in a healthy and stable manner.
From the emphasis at the China-France-Germany Leaders’ Video Summit in April this year that “we must firmly grasp the general direction and keynote of the development of China-EU relations from a strategic height” to the summit pointed out that “firmly steer the course of China-EU relations”, President Xi Attaches great importance to the importance of the development direction of China-EU relations.
Stabilizing the steering wheel of China-EU relations has also been highly recognized by French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel.
The frequent dialogues between China and the EU have precisely reflected a high degree of political mutual trust and close strategic communication.
China-EU cooperation to reach these important consensuses
President Xi Jinping once emphasized that China and Europe have no fundamental conflicts of interest, cooperation is far greater than competition, and consensus far exceeds differences.
He pointed out that China-EU cooperation is more global and strategic in the complex international situation.
Since last year, when the leaders of the three countries met and summits were held, it was often the time when important cooperation results were reached.
△ Chancellor Merkel at the video summit venue.
(Photo/German government spokesperson social media)
On September 14 last year, on the day when President Xi and the leaders of the German European Union jointly held a meeting, China and the EU formally signed the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement, which means that high-quality specialty agricultural food products will enter each other's thousands of households.
On December 30 last year, the leaders of China and the EU jointly announced the completion of the China-EU investment agreement negotiations as scheduled, which means that it is expected to provide greater market access, a higher level of business environment, stronger institutional guarantees, and brighter China-EU mutual investment. Prospects for cooperation.
At the video summit on July 5, President Xi Jinping put forward four proposals, including expanding mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.
He proposed to promote mutual recognition and mutual insurance of products on the China-Europe list to bring more benefits to the daily lives of the people of both sides.
President Xi revealed that only a few months after the "China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement" came into effect, 134 European Union Geographical Indications and 110 Chinese Geographical Indications have been protected in China and Europe respectively.
In response to the China-EU Investment Agreement, which is of great concern to the outside world, Macron said that France is committed to continuing to promote cooperation with China in a pragmatic manner and supports the conclusion of the EU-China Investment Agreement.
Merkel also expressed the hope that the EU-China Investment Agreement will be approved as soon as possible.
At the video summit in April this year, the leaders of the three countries agreed that the response to climate change should be an important pillar of China-EU cooperation.
The video summit on July 5 reaffirmed the relevant consensus and supported the positive results of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Kunming Convention on Biological Diversity and the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
China is willing to hold the 23rd China-EU Leaders' Meeting with the EU as soon as possible, and it has also received a positive response.
Xi Jinping: "Maintain true multilateralism"
Multilateralism has been an important key word in the dialogues between the leaders of China, France and Germany since last year.
President Xi has repeatedly emphasized that no matter how the international situation changes, China will stand on the side of multilateralism and adhere to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
We are willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with the European side, adhere to multilateralism, respond to global challenges, and jointly increase certainty for an uncertain world.
Merkel said that under the current situation, strengthening international solidarity and multilateralism is essential to the global fight against the epidemic.
Macron said that France is willing to work with China to uphold multilateralism and inject more positive factors into world peace and stability.
In April this year, President Xi Jinping emphasized at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia 2021 annual meeting that we must
adhere to true multilateralism
: "International affairs should be handled through consultations, and the future and destiny of the world should be controlled by all countries. The rules formulated by one or several countries are imposed on others, and the unilateralism of individual countries cannot "bring rhythm" to the whole world."
At the China-France-Germany Leaders’ Video Summit on July 5, President Xi once again emphasized that to maintain true multilateralism, it is necessary to maintain the international system with the United Nations as the core and the basic norms of international relations based on the UN Charter. The matter needs to be handled calmly and discussed by everyone.
Why did the leaders of China, France and Germany focus on African issues?
In today's world, it is difficult for any country to take care of itself.
In March last year, when President Xi Jinping was talking on the phone with French President Macron, he proposed for the first time efforts to build a health community.
At that time, he especially mentioned that we should work together to help African countries to prevent and control the epidemic.
In June last year, President Xi said at the China-Africa Unity Anti-epidemic Special Summit that China is willing to work with the international community to increase support for African countries with particularly severe epidemics and pressure, including further extending the debt relief period to help them. Overcome current difficulties.
At the video summit on July 5, the leaders of the three countries exchanged views on African issues.
President Xi pointed out that Africa is the region with the most concentrated areas of developing countries, the most difficult task in fighting the new crown pneumonia epidemic and achieving economic recovery, and it is also the continent with the greatest development potential.
It is hoped that the European side will increase its support and assistance to Africa, provide more vaccines to African countries in urgent need, and help Africa cope with debt pressure.
△On July 1, 2021, another batch of COVID-19 vaccines aided by the Chinese government to Comoros arrived at the Capital International Airport.
(Provided by Ma Peimin, CCTV reporter, CCTV)
Macron said that France highly appreciates China’s efforts to implement the G20’s debt relief initiatives and is willing to continue to strengthen coordination with China on financing and education issues in Africa.
Merkel said that Germany is willing to actively study the "Support for the African Development Partnership Initiative" proposed by China and Africa.
It is understood that this initiative, jointly initiated by China and Africa in the UN Security Council, aims to use resources in areas most urgently needed in Africa and provide assistance to Africa’s development.
△The "Sailing 100 Years Ago" photo exhibition jointly curated and produced by the European Central Station of China Central Radio and Television and local media was launched in France and Germany at the same time on June 24, local time.
(Photo/Official website of the Chinese Embassy in France)
△On June 10, 2021, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China, the press conference of "100 Years of the Communist Party of China (French Version)" was held simultaneously in Beijing and Paris.
(Photo/Official website of the Chinese Embassy in France)
Just a few days ago, Xi Jinping said at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China: “The Communist Party of China pays attention to the future and destiny of mankind and advances hand in hand with all progressive forces in the world. China has always been a builder of world peace and a contributor to global development. Defender of the international order!" This is the world's feelings of the world's largest ruling party.
Producer丨Shen Yong
Chief Author丨Gong Xuehui Yu Zhenyi
Reporter丨Yang Lifeng, Wang Pengfei, Xing Bin, Fan Yiming, Shi Cheng
Vision丨Chen Kuo Zhang Jing
Editor丨Du Hongyang Yu Mingli