China, France to jointly boost multilateralism

The many "firsts" of French President Emmanuel Macron's three-day state visit to China, which began on Monday, already speak of the importance that both countries attach to bilateral relations.

It is Macron's first state visit to China, and also his first trip to Asia since his presidential election win last May. It is also the first visit by a foreign leader to China this year. The visit is also the first by a European leader to China since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October.

The world's second-and fifth-largest economies have already built robust commercial ties featuring reciprocal benefits in such sectors as aviation, nuclear and high-speed rail technology. There is, however, great potential yet to be tapped.