PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron met visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace here on Friday.

Wang first conveyed a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Macron and handed over the books presented by Xi to Macron.

Xi's message shows that China attaches great importance to China-France relations and cherishes the friendship and trust between the two heads of state, he said, adding that China is ready to work with France to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and to deepen China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

The pressing task now, Wang said, is to restart bilateral exchanges in all areas in an orderly manner while keeping regular COVID-19 containment measures in place, including strengthening coordination and cooperation in the research and development of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines and in prevention of future pandemics, so as to overcome the pandemic as soon as possible and make positive contribution to the establishment of a community of common health for mankind.

Wang said that the two sides should continue to firmly support the World Health Organization in coordinating and leading global COVID-19 response, and to oppose politicizing the pandemic, adding that China is ready to speed up cooperation with France on major projects for win-win outcomes.

Noting that Europe is an important force in a multipolar world, Wang said that China and Europe have always been partners instead of rivals with their consensus far outweighing differences.

China appreciates President Macron's call for Europe to strengthen strategic independence, which not only reflects France's tradition of independence, but also demonstrates Europe's position as a pole of the world, he said.

With unilateralism and protectionism on the rise today, China and Europe should work together to uphold multilateralism and the basic norms governing international relations, and to build an open world economic system, Wang said.

China would like to see that France and Europe inject more elements of stability into the global landscape and the three sides should join hands for the next stage of the multilateralism agenda, deepen China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and stand on the right side of history, said Wang.

For his part, President Macron thanked Xi for his important message and gift of books, and asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Xi.

Macron welcomed Wang's visit to France and Europe, saying it is of great significance for France and China to maintain strategic communication.

France highly appreciates China's commitment to making its COVID-19 vaccine, once available, a global public good, and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in the fight against the virus and to push for more results in bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture and other areas.

Macron said that France is ready to work with China to further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership, jointly support multilateralism, strengthen communication and coordination on public health, climate change, biodiversity and issues concerning Africa, and jointly implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative within the G20 framework.

The two sides should map out the important exchanges and political agenda for the next stage, Macron said, adding that he looks forward to visiting China again at an early date.

During his visit, Wang also met with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to President Macron, and will hold talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.