On June 26, 2025, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji co-chaired the 12th meeting of the exchange mechanism between the legislative bodies of China and France with Speaker of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet at the Great Hall of the People. He delivered a keynote speech.

Zhao Leji said that last year, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to France and agreed with President Emmanuel Macron on championing the spirit that guided the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations and enriching it with the features of the new era. Last month, the two heads of state held a phone call, guiding the sound and steady development of China-France relations. China is ready to work with France to strengthen all-round exchanges and cooperation, enhance mutual trust, build consensus, and elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

Zhao Leji pointed out that China and France should consolidate the foundation of friendship based on mutual understanding, build a bridge of cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win results, deepen cooperation in traditional sectors, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and green and low-carbon development, and properly resolve trade differences through dialogue and consultation. The two sides should forge closer people-to-people ties featuring mutual understanding and affinity, and deepen exchanges in such fields as culture, education, and tourism. The two sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation and maintain close communication on international and regional hotspot issues. The Taiwan question bears on China's core interests. China believes that France will abide by the one-China principle with concrete actions and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Zhao Leji expressed the hope that China-EU relations will continue to improve and grow, injecting more stability and positive energy into the world.

Zhao Leji stressed that this meeting marks the resumption of the exchange mechanism between China's NPC and the French National Assembly after a five-year hiatus, and is of great significance for deepening cooperation between the two sides. China's NPC is ready to work with the French National Assembly to implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, leverage the functions of the legislative bodies, deepen exchanges at all levels, and share working experience in legislation and supervision to provide legal guarantees for practical cooperation between the two countries. China's NPC is ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the European Parliament to contribute to the sound and stable development of China-EU relations. French parliamentary friends are warmly welcome to visit China frequently and play a constructive role in promoting China-France relations.

Yael Braun-Pivet said in her keynote speech that France and China enjoy a time-honored friendship and fruitful results in cooperation. Both France and China uphold multilateralism and oppose unilateralism and protectionism. In the face of grave international situation, it is of vital importance for France and China to enhance communication and solidarity. France hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields such as trade and investment, artificial intelligence, climate change, culture and education based on the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit to jointly address global challenges. The French National Assembly is willing to deepen dialogue and exchanges with China's NPC, injecting new vitality into the development of France-China relations.

Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Li Hongzhong attended the meeting.