In this July 8, 2017 photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Hamburg, Germany. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed that related parties should stick to the general direction of political settlement of the Ukraine issue.
The Chinese president also emphasized that related parties should make full use of multilateral platforms including the Normandy format, and seek a comprehensive settlement of the Ukraine issue through dialogue and consultation.
ALSO READ: Putin, Scholz agree on need to avert war amid Ukraine tensions
The French president said France has always supported and will continue to fully support the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
Xi made the remarks in a phone conversation in the afternoon with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, who presented his view on the current situation in Ukraine.
China-EU investment
During the call, president Xi also said China stands ready to work with France to advance the ratification of the China-EU investment agreement and its entry into force.
He also called for joint efforts to make a success of the China-EU leaders' meeting, and the new round of high-level dialogues on strategic, economic and trade, green, digital and people-to-people affairs, so as to bring tangible benefits to the people on both sides.
Support for 2022 Olympics
For his part, Macron said France has always supported and will continue to fully support the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
He extended congratulations on the splendid and successful opening ceremony of the Games, noting that it is a quite demanding task for China to host the event as scheduled under the current circumstances.
READ MORE: Xi, Macron to further advance China-France ties
Xi pointed out that the fact that the Beijing Winter Olympics has unfolded smoothly as scheduled demonstrates that the international community yearns for peace, unity and progress. He also offered congratulations on the achievements of French athletes.
The two leaders both sent their greetings for the Year of the Tiger.