France's President Emmanuel Macron stands on the doorsteps of the Elysee presidential Palace after an official meeting in Paris, Jan 23, 2019. (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP)

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said here on Wednesday that France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international affairs and to work together to safeguard multilateralism.

Macron made the remarks during talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace.

Macron asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China is also ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with France on multilateral issues such as climate change, and to safeguard the current international system that has the United Nations at its core, so as to enrich the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang

France attaches great importance to France-China relations, and hopes to seize the opportunity of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations to promote high-level exchanges between the two sides, deepen mutual cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, nuclear energy as well as aerospace, and strengthen cultural, educational and youth exchanges, said Macron.

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Chinese companies are welcomed in France, he added.

Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Macron.

Wang said ever since Macron's visit to China more than a year ago, consensuses reached between the two heads of state have been steadily implemented and cooperation in various fields has yielded positive results, demonstrating the highness of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France as well as the great potential of bilateral cooperation.

In 2019, China and France will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, said Wang, adding that China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges between the two sides, and deepen cooperation in areas of nuclear energy and innovation, as well as within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

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China is also ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with France on multilateral issues such as climate change, and to safeguard the current international system that has the United Nations at its core, so as to enrich the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang.

China's door will open wider, Wang stressed, adding that China is willing to provide a sound investment environment for all foreign companies including those from France.

China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, need to deepen strategic cooperation and bring more positive energy to the world, Wang said

Earlier, Wang met with Philippe Etienne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, calling for deepening strategic cooperation with France as the world is in the midst of complex changes.

China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with France and add new content to the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership so as to make it constantly vigorous in advancement, Wang said.

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China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, need to deepen strategic cooperation and bring more positive energy to the world, said Wang.

For his part, Etienne said the French government attaches great importance to France-China ties and hopes to witness new development in the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2019.

France is ready to work with China to add fresh impetus to bilateral ties and promote coordination and cooperation on multilateral affairs, Etienne said.

Wang arrived in Paris Wednesday for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

During his stay in Paris, Wang will also hold talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.