Preparations underway for Macron’s China trip next year: ambassador

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to pay a state visit to China at the beginning of 2018, France’s Ambassador to China Jean-Maurice Ripert told Chinese reporters at a press conference on Thursday.

“France considers China a very important partner,” said Ripert, adding that he appreciates the ability of both sides to always find ways to work together even when there are differences.

“In the current world of uncertainties, and under the tide of populism, China and the European Union are the world’s two stable poles,” Ripert added.

Macron met China’s President Xi Jinping for the first time during the Hamburg G20 Summit in July and preparations for a second meeting have started, with bilateral cooperation in the economy and sports to be increased by visits of French officials by the end of the year, according to the ambassador.

In addition, France’s foreign minister, finance minister and foreign affairs advisor to the Office of the President will visit China later this year to meet about the high-level dialogue mechanism, he said.

Regarding the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Ripert said he has been paying a lot of attention to the Congress’ new policies, which will not only decide the direction of China’s domestic issues, but also indicate its orientation in international affairs.

“We expect that China’s future policies will contribute to the continuation of ChinaFrance and China-EU cooperation,” Ripert concluded.