PARIS — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for deepening strategic cooperation with France as the world is in the midst of complex changes.

Wang, who is currently in France for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue, made the remarks on Jan 23 while meeting with Philippe Etienne, diplomatic adviser to the French president at the Elysee Palace.

As this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Wang noted, China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with France and add new content to the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership so as to make it constantly vigorous in advancement.

China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, need to deepen strategic cooperation and bring more positive energy to the world, Wang said.

For his part, Etienne said the French government attaches great importance to France-China ties and hopes to witness new development in the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2019.

France is ready to work with China to add fresh impetus to bilateral ties and promote coordination and cooperation on multilateral affairs, Etienne said.