China, France vow to strengthen dialogue on ties

China and France vowed on Wednesday to further strengthen their dialogue mechanism in an effort to promote bilateral ties and better coordinate with each other on global issues.[Special coverage]

Presidents of the two countries will continue to meet each year, and exchange ideas on major bilateral and global issues of common concern at multilateral events, according to a mid- to long-term blueprint for the development of bilateral ties published after Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Paris with his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

Xi is making a state visit to France at Hollande's invitation.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Continuous exchange of high-level visits are encouraged, while ways and content of exchange and dialogue should be enriched to demonstrate the comprehensiveness and closeness of the Sino-French relations, according to the blueprint.

The two countries will also promote the role of a high-level dialogue on economy and finance in coordinating their respective macro-economic policies, deepening financial cooperation, solving economic and trade problems, and improving global economic governance.

Also, Beijing and Paris are to enhance coordination within the UN framework on global and regional hotspot issues, jointly respond to such challenges as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and their delivery, as well as cyber security, read the blueprint.

Meanwhile, the two sides should strengthen dialogue on African issues to assist African countries to achieve stability and development of the continent.

Moreover, China and France will continue to hold dialogue on cyber issues in a bid to build a peaceful, open, secure and reliable cyberspace that benefits the international community, according to the blueprint.

Meanwhile, the two sides agreed to go on with their exchange and cooperation within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting to boost pragmatic collaboration.