On the morning of April 6, 2023, at the Great Hall of the People, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with French President Emmanuel Macron who is on a state visit to China.

Li Qiang said that both China and France are countries with profound cultural heritage and a strong spirit of independence. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Emmanuel Macron, China-France relations have enjoyed sustained and sound development, injecting precious stability and certainty into a changing, volatile world. China is ready to work with France to implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, carry forward the founding spirit of China-France diplomatic relations featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and constantly elevate the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

Li Qiang stressed that China is ready to share with France the new opportunities of China's new development, and will stay committed to opening up and cooperation. China welcomes more quality French products, technologies and services into the Chinese market, and hopes that France will continue to keep its market open, and provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. China and France should uphold fundamental principles, break new ground and foster new growth areas in cooperation, including trade in services, green development and scientific and technological innovation. The two countries should stick to exchanges and mutual learning, jointly host celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism next year, and further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries by taking the opportunity of the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to be held in France next year.

Li Qiang pointed out that China and the EU are important forces for maintaining world peace and development. China is ready to work with the EU to ensure the success of China-EU Summit and high-level dialogues in various fields, deepen cooperation, uphold true multilateralism, and make positive contributions to world peace and prosperity.

Macron said that given the volatility and turbulence of the current situation, it is very important for France and China to carry out high-quality dialogue and exchanges. France supports China's development and is ready to restore the pre-pandemic momentum of bilateral exchanges, strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, agriculture, aviation, finance, nuclear energy, innovation, tourism and people-to-people and cultural exchanges with an open attitude, and deepen communication and coordination on major issues concerning international peace and stability, so as to inject new vitality into the comprehensive strategic partnership between France and China, and make new contributions to addressing global challenges. France is committed to promoting the further development of EU-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.

Qin Gang, among others, attended the meeting.