Xi urges effort to cement ties with France

President wants two nations to advance cooperation, jointly reject protectionism

China and France should work together to safeguard multilateralism and to cement their ties with the principles of independence, openness, win-win inclusiveness, mutual learning and a strong sense of responsibility, President Xi Jinping said.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article published in France's Le Figaro daily newspaper on Saturday ahead of his state visit to France.