President talks with Macron on free trade

President Xi Jinping has called for joint efforts with France to promote free trade and build open global economies.

Xi made the remark during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

China would like to enhance strategic coordination with France to maintain and improve the current international order and global governance system, stick to multilateralism and promote economic globalization, Xi said.

Noting this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi said the just-concluded annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body had great significance for China's development.

China will continue to deepen reform, boost opening-up, pursue more development and make more contributions to the world, Xi said.

China's development will provide more opportunities for cooperation with France and the rest of Europe, Xi said, adding that the two leaders reached important consensus on enhancing cooperation in all areas when Macron visited China.

China would like to make joint efforts with France to strengthen high-level exchanges, implement cooperation consensus and communicate on major issues, Xi said.

Macron expressed willingness to make joint efforts with Xi to implement the consensus they reached.

The two sides should enhance high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in areas like trade, investment, nuclear energy and environment, and enhance coordination on global issues, he said.