BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, mentioned French President Emmanuel Macron's fourth state visit to China. Every meeting between the two heads of state is not only a major event in China-France relations but also attracts close attention from the international community, he said.

In the face of the current intricate global challenges, it is necessary for China and France to enhance communication and cooperation and shoulder their common responsibility as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said, noting that it is believed that through the joint efforts of both sides, this visit will further enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen strategic cooperation, and inject new impetus into the development of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang expounded on the nature and serious dangers of the erroneous remarks on Taiwan made by the current Japanese leader, articulating China's principle and stance. He emphasized that as victorious nations of World War II, China and France should jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of World War II paid for with blood, and resolutely oppose any attempt by Japan to exploit the Taiwan question to stir up trouble and repeat the mistakes of history.

"China hopes and believes that France will continue to understand and support its legitimate position," Wang added.

Barrot said President Macron attaches great importance to relations with China, noting that as permanent members of the UN Security Council, France and China have a responsibility to jointly uphold world peace in a constructive manner.

The French side firmly adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples through President Macron's visit, Barrot added.

He thanked the Chinese side for its active efforts in facilitating the visit and expressed confidence that it will yield fruitful outcomes, noting that France is committed to promoting an independent and autonomous European Union and is willing to actively advance the development of EU-China relations. Enditem