Trilateral Talks & China-France Reached Four Joint Statements

China and France have issued joint statements on four topics, including the situation in the Middle East, biodiversity, AI and global governance, and agricultural cooperation

I've been bombed by news about joint statements issued today. Honestly, I didn't expect China and France to reach a joint statement on the Middle East issue. I thought it would be challenging enough to reach a consensus on the Palestine issue alone. The speed at which they reached such a statement reflects how critical the situation is in the region in some way. Please click the like button if today's info is helpful. :)

Xi, Macron, and Von der Leyen’s trilateral meeting

Before we go into details of these statements, On May 6th, Xi, Macron, and Vonderleyen held a trilateral meeting. During talks, they’ve reached overcapacity, the Ukraine Crisis, and the Palestine issue.

On the overcapacity issue, CCTV news center report:

Xi pointed out that China's new energy industry has developed real capabilities through open competition, representing advanced production capacity. It has not only enriched global supply and eased global inflationary pressure but also made significant contributions to global response to climate change and green transformation. Whether from the perspective of comparative advantage or global market demand, there is no so-called "overcapacity problem in China."

Regarding the Ukraine Crisis, Xi said China, France, and Europe all hope to achieve a ceasefire and end the war as soon as possible, restore peace in Europe, and support a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. According to SCMP, Macron welcomed China’s “commitment” not to sell arms to Russia and strictly control the flow of dual-use goods to the Russian military.

On trade issues, Xi promises further opening up of service industries such as telecommunications and healthcare, according to his statement at the closing ceremony of the 6th meeting of the China-France Entrepreneur Committee.

China-France Joint Statement on the Situation in the Middle East

Soon after the talk, the joint statement on the Middle East was released, and both countries agreed to work together to find constructive solutions to international security challenges based on international law. They condemned violations of international humanitarian law, particularly in Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Both countries criticized Israel's offensive on Rafah and settlement construction policy, reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, expressed concern over regional escalation, and called for restraint from all parties. Additionally, they supported a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and called for the observance of the Olympic Truce during the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Here, I have attached the full translation：

China-France Joint Statement on the Situation in the Middle East

At the invitation of H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, paid a state visit to France from May 5 to 7, 2024. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East:

1. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and France are working together to find constructive solutions, based on international law, to the challenges and threats to international security and stability.

2. China and France condemn all violations of international humanitarian law, including all acts of terrorist violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. They recall the absolute imperative of protecting civilians in Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law. The two heads of state expressed their opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah, which would lead to a humanitarian disaster on a larger scale, as well as to forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.

3. The two heads of state stressed that an immediate and sustainable ceasefire is urgently needed to enable the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the guarantee of humanitarian access to meet their medical and other humanitarian needs, as well as respect for international law with regard to all detainees. They called for the immediate and effective implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 2712, 2720 and 2728. This is the only credible way to guarantee peace and security for all and to ensure that neither Palestinians nor Israelis will suffer from the horrors they have experienced since the attack on October 7, 2023.

4. The two heads of state called for the effective opening of all necessary corridors and crossing points to enable rapid, safe, sustainable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip. The two heads of state stressed the importance of strengthening the coordination of international humanitarian efforts.

5. The two heads of state called on all parties to refrain from unilateral measures on the ground that might aggravate tensions, and in this respect condemned Israel’s policy of settlement construction, which violates international law and constitutes a major obstacle to lasting peace as well as to the possibility of establishing a viable and contiguous State of Palestine. The two heads of state reiterated that the future governance of Gaza cannot be dissociated from a comprehensive political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-State solution.

6. The two heads of state called for a decisive and irreversible relaunch of a political process to concretely implement the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, both with Jerusalem as their capital, and the establishment of a viable, independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders. The two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to this solution, which is the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people for lasting peace and security.

7. The two heads of state also expressed deep concern over the risk of escalation in the region, and called for the prevention of regional turbulence. China and France are working with their partners to deescalate the situation and call on all parties to exercise restraint.

8. China and France reaffirm their commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action concluded in 2015 is a major outcome of multilateral diplomacy. The two countries are concerned about the risks of escalation, recall the importance of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and facilitation of diplomatic efforts, and reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

9. The two heads of state stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and called for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian vessels to safeguard maritime security and global trade and prevent regional tensions and humanitarian and environmental risks.

10. The two heads of state called for the observance of the Olympic Truce during the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic Truce calls on all parties to stop hostilities throughout the Games. As conflicts spread and tensions rise, the Truce is an opportunity to work toward a durable resolution of conflicts in full respect of international law.

Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance

China and France pledged to take effective measures to address the risks associated with AI technology and strengthen global governance of AI to promote development and use for the common good. They agreed that global governance should allow for flexibility to facilitate AI development while protecting personal data and user rights, and they committed to promoting safe, secure, and reliable AI systems based on the principle of AI for the common good through comprehensive dialogue and international cooperation. The two countries also agreed to contribute to strengthening the cyber capabilities of states, particularly developing countries, to deal with cyber threats, including those related to AI, recognizing that the opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with AI are global in nature and require international cooperation to ensure security, stability, and respect for sovereignty and fundamental rights.

Source:

China and France pledged Monday to take effective measures to address the potential and actual risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and to strengthen global governance of AI to promote development and use for the common good.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, the two heads of state reached a series of consensus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation to properly utilize and regulate the technology.

Recognizing the key role of AI in development and innovation, while taking into account the range of challenges that may arise from the development and use of AI, China and France agree on the importance of promoting the development and security of AI and promoting appropriate international governance to achieve this goal, said a joint statement on AI and global governance issued by the two countries.

France and China agree that global governance of AI should allow for flexibility to facilitate the development of a constantly and rapidly evolving technology, with the necessary protection of personal data and the rights of users mobilizing AI or whose productions are mobilized by AI.

The two countries are fully committed to promoting safe, secure, and reliable AI systems based on the principle of AI for the common good, through a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue, and through promoting international cooperation and interoperability among AI governance frameworks and initiatives, building on work done at the UN level.

Both countries recognize that the opportunities, risks and challenges associated with AI are global in nature, said the joint statement, underlining the importance of strengthening international cooperation in the context of rapid technological development to ensure international security, stability, and respect for sovereignty and fundamental rights.

France and China also agree to contribute to the strengthening of the cyber capabilities of states, particularly developing countries, to deal with all types of cyber threats, including those related to AI. 

Joint Statement by China and France on Strengthening Cooperation on Biodiversity and Oceans: From Kunming-Montreal to Nice

I have attached the AI-translated version of the document here.

Source: https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202405/content_6949581.htm

1. As maritime countries and major players in biodiversity, China and France reaffirm their special responsibility and shared goal to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. China, as the host country, successfully held the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (hereinafter referred to as "COP15"), which adopted the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (hereinafter referred to as the "Kunming-Montreal Framework"). The framework establishes the following goals: by 2030, effectively protect and manage at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs); by 2030, take restoration measures for at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems.

2. France is willing to continue on the path set by COP15 and will co-host the next United Nations Ocean Conference with Costa Rica in Nice in June 2025. Faced with the absolute urgency of the ocean, the United Nations Ocean Conference will be an action summit based on concrete commitments and a comprehensive roadmap for ocean action. The action targets of the Kunming-Montreal Framework complement the specific goals of Sustainable Development Goal 14: integrating pollution issues, protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, developing fishing regulations, addressing ocean acidification, and promoting sustainable development.

3. To strengthen the shared ambition of conserving and protecting biodiversity and the ocean, the two countries have adopted the following joint statement:

4. China and France plan to take relevant actions in accordance with international conventions ratified by both countries, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. The two countries support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

5. The two countries recognize the importance of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as the "BBNJ Agreement") and consider it one of the pillars of inclusive and comprehensive international ocean governance. The two countries are committed to contributing to the early entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and encourage all countries to take the same action.

I. Conserving, protecting, and restoring marine and coastal biodiversity, promoting environmental multilateralism

6. China and France reaffirm the commitment made in Montreal in December 2022 to effectively protect and manage at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures by 2030; by 2030, take restoration measures for at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems. The two countries acknowledge that marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures are important means to achieve the above goals and will promote the realization of relevant measures. In addition, the two countries are committed to implementing the COP15 decision on a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism for digital sequence information on genetic resources and will closely follow the participatory and inclusive process on this issue.

7. Recognizing that there are only six years left to implement the various goals of the Kunming-Montreal Framework, the two countries announced their respective revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to align with the long-term goals and action targets of the Kunming-Montreal Framework. The two countries will highlight the marine-related parts of their National Strategies and Action Plans and the dedicated actions taken for this purpose at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

8. China and France are willing to strengthen cooperation between their national institutions responsible for the conservation, protection, and restoration of marine and coastal biodiversity. In the dialogue on the law of the sea and polar affairs, the two countries share knowledge and best practices for implementing the BBNJ Agreement in conjunction with the Kunming-Montreal Framework, especially regarding science-based governance, connectivity, and effective management models for marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. The above dialogue will help ensure the follow-up and implementation of this statement.

9. Within the framework of implementing the BBNJ Agreement, the two countries are committed to bilateral and multilateral cooperation for establishing area-based management tools such as protected areas in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. The two countries are committed to actively working within the organizations they participate in to promote the achievement of the BBNJ Agreement's objectives and to strengthen coordination between various institutions. The two countries reaffirm the consensus reached on the agreement's provisions, including Article 18. On this basis, the two countries are committed to promoting the entry into force and subsequent implementation of the agreement, and in accordance with the agreement's provisions, assisting in the development and implementation of an effective multilateral solution for sharing the benefits of genetic resources.

10. Recognizing the important role of the ocean in carbon storage and sequestration, the two countries will cooperate to finance the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, including wetlands, which play a crucial role in addressing climate change.

11. The two countries are committed to the work of the International Seabed Authority and believe that before any deep-sea mining activities, appropriate environmental impact assessments should be conducted, risks should be understood, and technologies and operational methods should comply with relevant regulations while ensuring that the International Seabed Authority develops appropriate rules, regulations, and procedures based on the best available scientific knowledge and follows a precautionary and ecosystem approach. The two countries encourage scientific exploration within the framework of the International Seabed Authority and strengthen cooperation for this purpose.

II. Combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing

12. The two countries are committed to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and advocating this practice in relevant international organizations. The two countries are committed to promoting the strengthening of management and monitoring measures in the regional fisheries management organizations they have joined.

13. The two countries support the efforts made on this issue within the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The two countries are committed to implementing the World Trade Organization's agreement on fisheries subsidies. China is actively studying joining the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

14. The two countries also recognize the cross-sectoral nature of combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and will actively participate in relevant work of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization to strive to ensure the safety of fishing vessels.

15. Before the United Nations Ocean Conference, the two countries will explore prospects for cooperation in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. China is willing to actively consider sending personnel to participate in relevant fisheries activities during the United Nations Ocean Conference.

III. Pollution prevention and control

16. The two countries are committed to preventing and reducing pollution factors - whether chemical, plastic, or other types of pollution - and the associated risks to biodiversity. The two countries will pay special attention to reducing the impact of the above pollution on marine and coastal biodiversity.

17. The two countries will work to end plastic pollution based on an integrated approach. To this end, the two countries are committed to actively promoting source reduction in plastic production and use, prohibiting and reducing the production and consumption of certain single-use plastics, implementing the "reduce, reuse, recycle" approach, and developing supporting infrastructure.

18. The two countries recognize the importance of United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14 (UNEP/EA.5/Res.14), which mandates negotiations to develop a legally binding international instrument to end plastic pollution; believe that positive progress has been made at INC1 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, INC2 in Paris, France, INC3 in Nairobi, Kenya, and INC4 in Ottawa, Canada; and support efforts to reach an ambitious and implementable agreement during INC5 to be held in Busan, South Korea. Progress in these negotiations will be highlighted at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

19. The two countries recognize the importance of United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution 5/8 (UNEP/EA.5/Res.8), which mandates an ad hoc open-ended working group to consider establishing a science-policy panel on chemicals and waste and preventing pollution. The two countries are satisfied with the results achieved at the first round of working group meetings at the end of January 2023 and support completing the work of the ad hoc open-ended working group by the end of 2024, looking forward to the early establishment of a broad-based independent science-policy panel covering chemical and waste pollution.

20. The two countries are committed to jointly promoting the implementation of the global chemicals framework adopted at the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management held in Bonn.

IV. Financing for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14

21. The two countries recognize the funding gap that still exists in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 and protecting biodiversity, and reaffirm their commitment to fully implement Sustainable Development Goal 14 now and raise the level of collective ambition by the end of 2025.

22. In accordance with relevant decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the two countries will promote a substantial increase in biodiversity conservation funding from all sources, including national, international, public and private resources, including international biodiversity conservation funds provided by developed countries and Parties voluntarily fulfilling developed country commitments to developing countries, especially least developed countries, small island developing States and countries with economies in transition, reaching at least $20 billion globally per year by 2025 and at least $30 billion globally per year by 2030; and mobilizing all sources of funding, including multilateral development banks and the private sector. The two countries will dedicate a portion of these funds specifically to the protection of marine and coastal biodiversity. The two countries welcome the positive contribution of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to biodiversity financing. China welcomes France and the EU's commitment to double their international funding for promoting biodiversity. The two countries will support the operation of the Global Biodiversity Framework Trust Fund established within the Global Environment Facility. The two countries will also pay special attention to the implementation of the relevant parts of Action Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Framework on reporting by large transnational corporations, transnational corporations and financial institutions on their impacts, dependencies and risks on biodiversity.

23. The two countries will exchange views on financing for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 before the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025. To address the funding gap, the two countries will prepare a joint financial report based on the specific target 14.7 of Sustainable Development Goal 14, with a special focus on the situation of small island developing States.

V. Development of Ocean-related Scientific Knowledge

24. The two countries support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The two countries firmly believe that research on ocean science and ocean technology is crucial for the conservation and protection of marine and coastal biodiversity, and the two countries will strengthen scientific cooperation and exchanges between university students and researchers.

25. The two countries will pay special attention to research on the cumulative effects of human threats to the marine environment, such as ocean acidification or pollution. This cooperation will also extend to the fields of humanities and social sciences, such as sociology, history, law, economics, geography, and urban planning.

26. The two countries will support the establishment of an International Panel for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) during the consultation process of the United Nations Ocean Conference. IPOS will work in collaboration with the United Nations World Ocean Assessment (WOA) under the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

27. The short-term goal of IPOS is to establish an international platform that will conduct the first integration of existing ocean knowledge and recommendations based on the Sustainable Development Goals. Its purpose is to develop tools to simulate future ocean behavior, make recommendations, and facilitate discussions among multiple parties.

28. Regarding the polar regions, the two countries recognize the need for ambitious international scientific cooperation and the necessity to continue efforts within the various organizations of the Antarctic Treaty System (Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources), especially in terms of environmental protection, resource conservation, and biodiversity.

VI. Greening of Maritime Transport

29. Maritime transport accounts for over 80% of the total value of global freight transport while also generating 2.89% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the two countries wish to cooperate in improving the energy efficiency and energy transition of ships and ports.

30. The two countries are jointly committed to implementing the IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships adopted in 2023. The two countries believe that, under the framework of the International Maritime Organization and in accordance with relevant rules of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, joint efforts should be made through globally coordinated policies, and technological and market initiatives should be explored to advance the work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry and enhancing the competitiveness of sustainable alternative energy sources.

31. The two countries believe that the use of shore power by ships at berth is one of the key solutions to reduce the environmental impact of ships at berth and will encourage investment in shore power infrastructure. The two countries will encourage the transition from traditional fossil fuels to new low-carbon and zero-carbon fuel technologies.

32. China notes that France has signed the Clydebank Declaration to establish "green shipping corridors," i.e., forming decarbonized shipping routes between two or more ports through the development of energy sources, infrastructure, and zero-emission vessels.

VII. Cooperation in the Blue Economy

33. The two countries recognize that the oceans and coasts are the foundation of a large part of the global economy, with the value generated by the blue economy expected to reach $3 trillion by 2030, and the two countries emphasize the need to maintain sustainable economic activities related to the oceans and coasts that respect the environment. In this regard, the two countries intend to cooperate in sustainable coastal tourism.

34. The two countries encourage their respective financial sectors to cooperate in the field of blue finance.

35. The two countries exchange views on the production of marine renewable energy, especially the rapidly developing offshore wind power and floating wind power in both countries, as well as tidal and wave energy, through energy dialogues.

36. Seaweed production has the potential to contribute to a 10% increase in global food resources and also contribute to the fertilizer, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, while also serving as a major carbon sink. Therefore, the two countries will promote exchanges between the two countries in the fields of aquaculture and seaweed farming.

Joint Statement between China and France on Agricultural Exchanges and Cooperation

Key takeaways: China is willing to explore the complete lifting of the ban on beef products from BSE-free cattle on the basis of ensuring safety.

Source:https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202405/content_6949589.htm

1. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the heads of state of both countries reaffirmed the crucial role of agriculture in their respective countries and in bilateral relations.

2. Sharing a common passion for food and a common vision of a strong agriculture for a strong nation, China and France support deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector. The two countries have already established cooperation in higher education, vocational education and training, research and innovation, beef cattle breeding, and food safety. Both sides agree to explore ways to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in areas of common interest, such as crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables, modern agricultural equipment application, smart agriculture, adaptation to climate change, biodiversity, soil health, and food loss reduction.

3. Both sides are willing to continue exploring the potential for cooperation in rural development and construction, especially in strengthening exchanges on young agricultural talents and agricultural business models. France supports China in hosting the China-Europe Beautiful Villages Forum.

4. Both sides welcome the strengthening of cooperation through the signing of an administrative agreement on cooperation in the viticulture and winemaking industry and the renewal of the Protocol on Geographical Indications Cooperation. The deepening of ties between China and France in the viticulture and winemaking sector is also reflected in France's support for China's accession to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) in 2024. France appreciates China's efforts in promoting the development of the viticulture and winemaking industry and China's commitment to joining the OIV in 2024, the centenary year of the OIV's establishment. France is willing to continue paying attention to the development of China's viticulture and winemaking industry and work together to enhance the development level of the viticulture and winemaking industry. Similarly, both sides are pleased to see the recognition of the names of the Mâcon and Gevrey-Chambertin geographical indication regions under Chinese laws and regulations in May 2024. Both sides will work together to strive for the completion of the geographical indication registration in China for other Burgundy wines by 2025.

5. China and France are willing to continue strengthening cooperation in agricultural food. France expresses its appreciation for the "From French Farm to Chinese Table" full-chain rapid coordination mechanism proposed by China in April 2023 and welcomes the regionalization cooperation agreement on highly pathogenic avian influenza to provide safeguards for market access and safety of poultry products, the expansion of the list of pork products exported to China to include pork offal, and the signing of the protocol on porcine protein feed.

6. Both sides are willing to continue actively exploring the complete lifting of the ban on beef products from BSE-free cattle, on the basis of ensuring safety. The two countries will also continue the dialogue on market access for dehydrated alfalfa. Bilateral cooperation will also extend to the veterinary field and the sanitary supervision of imported food.

7. Both sides are willing to continue exploring new models for enriching exchanges and cooperation in the agriculture and agricultural food sector. They will continue to encourage enterprises and industry associations in the agriculture and agricultural food industry to participate in cooperation as direct participants, especially the direct beneficiaries of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, to participate in and contribute to each other's agricultural and rural development.