Premier Li Keqiang and French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met the press and answered questions after their meeting on June 25.

The two leaders spoke highly of their results of cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, aerospace, agricultural food and cultural exchanges.

In response to the question about trade frictions, Premier Li called on all countries, including China and France, to support trade liberalization and investment facilitation, and maintain multilateralism and an open world economy when trade protectionism and unilateralism are rising.

Trade surplus is not what China pursues, and economic and trade exchanges should largely be carried out according to market rules and business principles, the Premier said.

He added that the existing frictions and disputes should be addressed through negotiations based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. There will be no winner in a trade war, he said.

The foundation for the world economic recovery, which has not come easily, is still weak, the Premier said, urging countries to work together for trade growth rather than trade barriers and protectionism.

China is ready to join hands with all parties to maintain multilateralism and a free trade system, oppose literalism and protectionism, and maintain the stability and growth of the global economy and trade, he said.

For his part, Philippe said the high-level relations between China and France are conducive not only to their development and prosperity, but also to world peace and stability.

On the principle of equality, mutual benefit, openness and balance, the French side is willing to push for substantial progress in large projects of traditional China-France cooperation as well as innovative cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises of the two countries.

France applauds China’s positive role in tackling global climate change and promoting environmental sustainability, he said, adding that both sides should jointly maintain a multilateral system and free trade against the backdrop of rising protectionism in some countries.

France is ready to work with China to boost China-EU ties, reach a balanced China-EU Investment Agreement and achieve more balanced globalization and global governance.