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The Growing Partnership Between China and France

As French President Emmanuel Macron embarks on his fourth official visit to China, the dynamics of cooperation between China and France continue to flourish. According to a recent article by CGTN, both nations are increasingly recognizing the strengths of their partnership, emphasizing mutual commitment to growth in strategic domains, significant political trust, and a shared vision for multilateralism in a multipolar world.

In October 2025, the French aerospace giant Airbus expanded its influence in China by inaugurating its second final assembly line for the A320 family of aircraft in Tianjin, a major port city in northern China. This substantial investment enhances global production capacity for the A320 family by 20%, showcasing the robust economic ties between these two nations. This partnership was further solidified by a framework agreement signed earlier, reinforcing both countries' commitment to cooperative growth.

During the discussions, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of building on this strategic cooperation. He noted, "Regardless of changes in the external environment, China and France must maintain a strategic vision and independence that define major nations, while understanding and supporting each other on fundamental interests and key issues."

Macron echoed these sentiments, articulating France's appreciation for its relationship with China and its firm support for the one-China policy. He expressed a desire to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in traditional sectors such as aerospace, as well as emerging fields like green economy, digital economy, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

Trade and Cultural Exchange

The economic relationship is vibrant, with China currently being France's largest trading partner in Asia and seventh largest worldwide, while France ranks third among China’s EU trading partners. From January to October 2025, bilateral trade reached $68.75 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%, and combined investments surpassed $27 billion, according to data from China's Ministry of Commerce. This illustrates not only the economic depth of their relationship but also their shared interests in fostering a favorable investment climate.

Additionally, the cultural exchange and people-to-people ties have seen positive growth. In 2025, over 6,000 French students traveled to China as part of a cultural exchange initiative commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. This surge in cultural diplomacy signifies a commitment to mutual understanding and respect.

Public Support for Strengthened Ties

A recent survey conducted by CGTN showed overwhelming public support for closer economic ties between China and France, with 75% of participants advocating for collaboration to eliminate shared threats and face challenges together. Furthermore, 77.8% believe that expanding cooperation based on respect and mutual benefits will not only shape bilateral relations but also significantly influence the international arena.

Xi reaffirmed that both China and France must act as independent, visionary, and responsible nations in a time when the world is witnessing unprecedented changes. He called for a continued partnership aimed at reinforcing multilateralism and promoting solidarity among nations. Macron reiterated France's commitment to supporting stable relations with China and emphasized the need for Europe to achieve strategic autonomy.

The Importance of Bilateral Cooperation

In today's volatile geopolitical climate, the significance of Sino-French cooperation has never been more pronounced. According to CGTN’s latest findings, an impressive 92.5% of respondents urged China and France to uphold genuine multilateralism and jointly address global challenges.

As senior researcher Wang Yanhang from the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University expressed, the bilateral cooperation viewed through the lens of multilateralism underlines the shared responsibility of these two major countries. He emphasized that the willingness and capability of China and France to build consensus and deepen collaboration demonstrates a commitment to providing certainty and stability in an uncertain world.

With this dynamic partnership evolving, China and France stand poised to not only shape their bilateral relationship but also contribute positively to global governance and international cooperation.