On March 26, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping met with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker who were attending the closing ceremony of the China-France Global Governance Forum in Paris.

Noting the increasing instability and uncertainty in the current international situation with a rising tide of protectionism, Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese side is willing to work with all parties to firmly uphold multilateralism, advance and improve global governance and jointly address global challenges.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Europe are two major forces in the world, and are important participants in and constructors of world multipolarization and the economic globalization process, adding that both sides share broad common interests. China and Europe should join efforts in three aspects.

First, jointly safeguard multilateralism. We should protect the status and authority of the United Nations (UN) and the international system with the UN at its core. The Chinese side is willing to increase communication and cooperation with the European side within the framework of the UN, and actively strive for more achievements in resolving international disputes by political means, addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development and other fields.

Second, facilitate the development and prosperity on the Eurasian continent. The Chinese side is willing to continue to push forward the alignment of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian connectivity strategy of the European Union (EU). China will promote bilateral as well as third-party market cooperation to realize mutual benefit and win-win results for all parties.

Third, improve bilateral strategic mutual trust. China has always regarded the EU as a strategic partner of cooperation and supported the EU's solidarity, stability and prosperity. China and the EU share far more common interests than differences. Both sides should take the lead in holding high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and make the cake of cooperation bigger. The Chinese side is willing to work with European countries to promote the development of China-Europe relations.

Emmanuel Macron expressed that the meeting has sent a positive signal to the international community that the EU and China firmly uphold multilateralism. Meanwhile, France and China have inked a joint statement on jointly safeguarding multilateralism and improving global governance, which fully demonstrates the strategic nature of cooperation between the two countries. France and the EU are willing to further enhance mutual trust with China, and together shoulder the historic responsibility of promoting world peace, security and development.

Angela Merkel said that the world today is faced with many difficult problems regarding peace and development. China successfully made huge achievements in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. The German side attaches importance to China's key role in international affairs, highly appreciates China's support for Europe's prosperity, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to advance the process of multilateralism.

Jean-Claude Juncker noted that EU and China, as cooperation partners, could do great things together for the world. The EU side stands ready to accelerate cooperation with the Chinese side and play a positive role in jointly addressing global challenges.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others attended the above activity.