China and France have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation amid ongoing global uncertainties during the 28th round of their Strategic Dialogue held on October 10 in Datong, Shanxi province. The meeting, part of a longstanding mechanism for high-level communication between the two countries, saw Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and member of the Communist Party of China’s Political Bureau, meet with Emmanuel Bonne, the French President’s Diplomatic Adviser.
Both sides pledged to maintain close political exchanges and expand collaboration across several sectors, including aerospace, nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. They also emphasized efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections, highlighting the dialogue's role in sustaining continuity in China-France relations.
The choice of Datong as the venue carried symbolic and historical weight. It was the first stop on former French President Georges Pompidou’s visit to China in 1973, marking a milestone in diplomatic ties during a period marked by Cold War tensions. Experts noted that this setting underscored the enduring legacy of China-France relations, which were established by overcoming ideological divisions between East and West.
Jin Ling, director at the China Institute of International Studies, described the dialogue as having renewed strategic significance, especially given the current global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and the risk of growing rival blocs. She highlighted the importance of carrying forward the spirit that enabled cooperation and dialogue during the Cold War to guide interactions among major countries today.
Wang Yi underscored that the China-France Strategic Dialogue was the first strategic consultation mechanism that China established with a major Western power, contributing to diplomatic exchanges between their heads of state and reinforcing political trust. This meeting followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s fourth state visit to China in December 2025, during which key agreements were reached to enhance strategic communication, openness, multilateralism, and cooperation.
On the economic front, Wang called for policy support from France to foster a favorable environment for Chinese investments, a request echoed by Bonne, who assured that France remains committed to providing Chinese companies with a stable and predictable business climate.
The contentious issue of Taiwan was also addressed, with Wang reiterating China’s expectation that France uphold the one-China principle, considered foundational to their bilateral relations. Bonne reaffirmed France's position, emphasizing that it would remain unchanged.
In addition to bilateral matters, the dialogue included discussions on global challenges, including the ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. Both parties agreed to sustain communication and coordination on these international issues.
This Strategic Dialogue took place shortly after trade and investment consultations between China and the European Union in Beijing, where progress was welcomed by all participants. Observers from Fudan University noted that these positive developments create a conducive environment for China and France to explore expanded cooperation through their strategic dialogue framework.
Overall, the meeting reinforced the longstanding cooperative framework between China and France and highlighted their shared interest in promoting multilateralism and a more equitable global governance system.