Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot

On September 14, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot at the latter’s request.

Wang Yi said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-France relations have generally maintained a momentum of steady development. Amid the current international situation fraught with changes and turbulence, China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and jointly address risks and challenges. China actively supports France in assuming the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month and hopes that France will push the UN Security Council to play its due role.

Wang Yi pointed out that the one-China principle is the political foundation of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. It is hoped that France will adhere to the one-China principle with concrete actions, refrain from any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and not send any wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” forces. China and the EU should stick to their partnership positioning, uphold mutual benefit and win-win results, adhere to mutual openness, properly resolve current economic and trade frictions through constructive dialogue, and avoid escalating confrontation. Protectionism cannot enhance Europe’s competitiveness; instead, it will deprive consumers of high-quality and affordable goods, push up inflation, and drag down the green transition process. China is one of the world’s largest markets, and China’s development is an opportunity rather than a challenge for the EU. It is hoped that France, as a major country with strategic vision, will take a pragmatic and rational attitude to push the EU to meet China halfway, view China’s development more correctly, and play a positive role in stabilizing China-EU relations.

Jean-Noël Barrot said that since President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China last year, France and China have upheld the “Dujiangyan spirit” of exchange and integration, sought common ground while reserving differences, and maintained continuous dialogue. Bilateral relations have generally maintained a momentum of development. France firmly adheres to the one-China policy. EU-China economic and trade relations are currently experiencing difficulties and challenges, and France is willing to promote constructive exchanges between EU and China to find solutions.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as the situation in Iran and the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi introduced China’s principled position and noted that President Xi Jinping has put forward a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East, providing public goods for regional peace and stability and playing a constructive role.