Macron china pledge to uphold free trade during china visit
You're referring to the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to China!
Yes, during his visit to China from January 8 to 11, 2018, President Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a joint statement pledging to uphold free trade and strengthen economic cooperation between their countries.
The joint statement, titled "Joint Statement on Strengthening Economic Cooperation between France and China," emphasized the importance of free trade and open markets in promoting economic growth and development. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the importance of multilateral trade agreements.
Specifically, the statement mentioned the following:
- Upholding free trade: Macron and Xi pledged to uphold free trade and resist protectionism, recognizing that trade liberalization has been a key driver of economic growth and development.
- Strengthening economic cooperation: The two leaders agreed to strengthen economic cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable development.
- Promoting bilateral trade: Macron and Xi aimed to increase bilateral trade between France and China, with a focus on promoting French exports to China and Chinese investments in France.
- Enhancing cooperation in innovation: The statement highlighted the importance of innovation and cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy.
- Supporting the Belt and Road Initiative: Macron and Xi expressed support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure development project launched by China to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The joint statement marked a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between France and China, and demonstrated their commitment to upholding free trade and promoting economic cooperation in a rapidly changing global economy.