On August 18, 2023, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna.

Wang Yi said that China-France relations have maintained a sound momentum of development this year. President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China in April was a complete success. The two heads of state had in-depth strategic communication and drew a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Year of the Olympic Games in Paris. China is ready to work with France to take this opportunity to follow through on the common understandings between the two heads of state and comprehensively resume exchanges in various fields and at all levels, to recoup the losses caused by the pandemic and bring the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height.

Wang Yi noted that China maintains stability and continuity in its policies toward Europe and always regards Europe as an important pole in the multi-polar world. China supports France in continuing to promote the European Union's adherence to strategic autonomy and play an active leading role in China-Europe relations.

Catherine Colonna expressed sincere condolences on the recent floods in China. She stressed that both France and Europe will stick to strategic autonomy, oppose the fragmentation of the world, do not accept decoupling or severing industrial and supply chains, and hope to build a multi-polar, balanced, and peaceful world. France cherishes its friendship with China and attaches great significance to the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state. France is ready to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, build bilateral relations featuring mutual benefit and win-win results, strive for greater development of Europe-China relations, and contribute to international peace and stability.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on Ukraine, Niger, and other international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.