Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in extensive, high-level discussions Friday in Dujiangyan, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, signaling a deep commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between their nations. The informal meeting, hosted by President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, alongside the visiting French president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, focused on deepening mutual understanding, drawing wisdom from ancient Chinese culture, and aligning efforts on pressing global challenges amid geopolitical uncertainty.

The setting for their cordial exchanges was Dujiangyan, home to the ancient irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the world’s only continuously operating ancient water management project. The leaders, accompanied by their wives, strolled along the Yangong Path and shared tea at Huaigu Pavilion, utilizing the scenic location for wide-ranging talks that blended cultural appreciation with strategic dialogue.

Cultural Foundations for Mutual Respect

President Xi highlighted the Dujiangyan system as a powerful illustration of the Chinese approach to governing—one that emphasizes harmony between humanity and nature, resilience, and constant self-improvement. Recounting the historical significance of the structure, which he said offers wisdom for state governance, Xi stressed that both China and France, possessing profound cultural heritages, are uniquely positioned to respect and understand each other.

“Only a nation with cultural confidence can stand firm and thrive,” President Xi stated, noting that China’s continuous civilization, marked by continuity, innovation, and inclusiveness, underpins the nation’s strength and rejuvenation. He framed the relationship between China and France, the two “outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations,” as a convergence of two splendid cultures built on a shared spirit of independence.

President Macron echoed this sentiment, praising the millenia-old irrigation system as a testament to Chinese diligence and ingenuity. He emphasized that the common ambitions of the Chinese and French people for a better life can be achieved through strengthened cooperation, facilitating joint development and prosperity.

Strategic Alignment on Global Challenges

The necessity of cooperation was a central theme, particularly given the volatile international landscape. President Xi emphasized that as major nations with long histories, China and France must collectively contribute more to global peace, stability, and human progress through sustained dialogue.

Acknowledging the rapid geopolitical changes, President Macron asserted France’s willingness to intensify communication and coordination with Beijing. He called for continued consultation to manage existing conflicts—namely those in Ukraine and Palestine—and jointly safeguard international peace.

The informal tête-à-tête evidently catalyzed collaborative action. Following the exchanges, the two nations issued significant joint statements concerning several critical areas:

• Strengthening global governance.
• Jointly addressing global climate and environmental challenges.
• Advancing cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy.
• Expanding collaboration in agriculture and food security.

The leaders agreed to maintain close communication to ensure the continuous advancement of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. This meeting, set against a backdrop of ancient engineering marvels, successfully married cultural diplomacy with pragmatic political alignment, underscoring the enduring significance of the Sino-French relationship in shaping the 21st-century global order. Looking forward, the close coordination between Xi and Macron suggests that the partnership will continue to serve as a vital stabilizing force in international relations.