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China and France agree to work together on nuclear issues as Macron wraps up visit

The two sides express support for non-proliferation and efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine and Gaza

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French leader Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pictured during their trip to Dujiangyan in Sichuan. Photo: AFP
Dewey Simin Beijing
China and France vowed to expand cooperation on nuclear issues and global challenges as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his three-day visit on Friday.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to “promoting the safe development of nuclear energy and strengthening collaboration across the nuclear energy industry chain”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The two nuclear powers also expressed their support for non-proliferation and underscored the key role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in building a strong and sustainable global framework for nuclear safety and security.

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A separate statement highlighted discussions between the two countries on global conflicts, including Ukraine – one of the main issues Macron raised when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday – and Gaza.

In a brief line, the statement said China and France “support all efforts to achieve a ceasefire and restore peace on the basis of international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter”.

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It echoed the message Xi delivered to Macron on Thursday, when he said China supported “all efforts conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way”.

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