On March 26, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping met with Senate President Gerard Larcher of France in Paris.

Xi Jinping pointed out that I was delighted to visit the French Senate, and satisfied with the outcomes achieved in my visit to France. The past, present, and future have linked the Chinese and French civilizations closely together. The time-honored cultures of the two nations are treasures of mankind. Many founders of the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China (PRC) once studied in France when they were young, and were closely tied to France. On the occasion of celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, the Chinese people sincerely admire General Charles de Gaulle, who, with a great vision and a remarkable spirit of independence, made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC, making France the first major Western country to do so. History has proved that it is an absolutely right decision, and the Chinese people will always remember General Charles de Gaulle.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and France should maintain a sound strategic partnership when the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, urging the two countries to foster more fruitful outcomes from practical cooperation so as to lay a solid foundation for the in-depth development of bilateral relations. It is believed that, with joint efforts by the two sides, China's relations with France and Europe will surely see steadfast progress along historical trends, which will not only benefit the two peoples, but also be conducive to world peace and prosperity. Xi Jinping stressed that both China and France pledge to maintain the basic norms governing international relations as underpinned by the Charter of the United Nations (UN), and uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system. China and France should continue to intensify coordination and cooperation on such key international issues as climate change.

Xi Jinping pointed out that friendship between the peoples holds the key to good relations between nations. We are willing to strengthen people-to-people exchanges with the French side in areas like culture and at sub-national levels. We support China's National People's Congress in strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the French Senate.

Gerard Larcher expressed that the French Senate warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping's visit. Today, we are welcoming you, as well as a great country and a great civilization. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of France-China diplomatic relations. It was France's high level of trust in China that led to General de Gaulle's decision to forge diplomatic relation with China. The French side is committed to deepening cooperation with China. China's newly approved foreign investment law brings more opportunities for both countries to cooperate in economy, trade and investment. France has been an advocate for the multilateral system based on the UN Charter, and is willing to coordinate and cooperate closely with China. The French Senate and its standing committees are ready to step up their exchanges and cooperation with China's legislative bodies.

When Xi Jinping arrived at the French Senate, President Gerard Larcher greeted him at the parking lot. Cavalrymen lined up to extend regards, and the military band played the tune of welcome. Xi Jinping shook hands with French officials attending the meeting, and President Gerard Larcher shook hands with members of the Chinese delegation.

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