French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourné will visit China on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and seek to strengthen ties, Beijing’s foreign ministry said, Asian Media reported.
France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years as European leaders have increasingly visited China and hosted Chinese officials.
During meetings in Paris last month, Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country’s “independent” stance.
Séjourné’s visit is the second by a French foreign minister to China in less than six months, and he is now visiting China because the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
“At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Séjourné will visit China on April 1,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said today.
The French president visited China last April and was given a warm welcome at a university in southern China. But he faced accusations of sycophancy to Beijing and sparked controversy by saying Europe should not be a “follower” of the United States in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.
