Sino-French partnership provides basis for more coordination with EU

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne's visit to Beijing on Monday heralds closer exchanges and stronger cooperation between Paris and Beijing. As indicated by the topics covered in his meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ranging from the economy and trade to the Ukraine crisis, there are many issues on which the two countries share a desire for coordination.

Sejourne's visit is his first trip to China since he took office in January, but the second by a French foreign minister in less than six months, as his predecessor Catherine Colonna visited China in November. Premier Li visited France in June last year and Foreign Minister Wang paid a visit in February this year. The frequent interactions between the two sides demonstrate the importance they attach to bilateral ties, as well as their common interest in strengthening their cooperation.

Despite the strategic mutual trust between Paris and Beijing, France's top diplomat and his Chinese hosts have gone to great lengths to reassure each other of their positions on sensitive issues — that France is not pursuing economic "decoupling" and China's stance on the Ukraine crisis, as set out in its position paper, is clear and has not changed.