On the evening of July 14, 2022, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Wang Lutong attended the National Day Reception held by the French Embassy in China upon invitation.

Wang Lutong extended congratulations on the National Day of France and said in his speech that the Chinese and French people both pursue humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom and uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of diplomatic relations featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. China-France relations have maintained a positive momentum of development. China is ready to work with France to uphold mutual respect, continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and firmly uphold multilateralism, so as to constantly elevate the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, and continuously inject new impetus into the long-term, sound and stable development of China-EU relations and world peace and stability.

French Ambassador to China Laurent Bili said in his speech that the current France-China relations enjoy a sound momentum of development. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, the development of all countries and world peace and stability are facing challenges. France is willing to work with China to keep close high-level exchanges, facilitate personnel exchanges, strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, jointly cope with global challenges, and constantly promote new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership between France and China.

Wang Lutong and Lauren Bili also exchanged views on China-France relations and China-EU relations, among others.