Global ties vital to fight coronavirus

During the telephone talks with the European leaders, Xi also stressed China's commitment to further strengthen relations with the two countries as well as the European Union.

He underlined the need for Beijing and Paris to implement the consensus he and Macron reached on pragmatic cooperation, take into account each other's major concerns, and advance collaboration in such fields as civilian nuclear energy, science and technology and aerospace.

Xi said the Chinese market is open to the world and will continue to be open to France and Europe. He called for strengthening communication and coordination between China and France on the reform of World Trade Organization to move it forward in the right direction.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, Xi expressed the hope that both sides could reach a high-level investment agreement.

They should also work together to uphold multilateralism and free trade, improve global governance, build an open world economy and jointly deal with global challenges such as climate change in order to take China-EU relations to a new and higher stage, Xi said.

Macron said he expects to visit China again, and his country stands ready to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation as well as teamwork in international affairs. He reiterated that France will not take discriminatory measures against any country or company in terms of 5G technologies.