UPDATE 1-China seeks stronger ties with France in strategic dialogue

China expressed willingness to strengthen high-level exchanges with France in a strategic dialogue between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and France's presidential diplomatic adviser, according to a foreign ministry statement on Thursday. Wang told the French president's adviser Emmanuel Bonne in a meeting on Wednesday that China is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust and promote all-round cooperation, the statement said.

China expressed willingness to strengthen high-level exchanges with France in a strategic dialogue between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and France's presidential diplomatic adviser, according to a foreign ministry statement on Thursday.

Wang told the French president's adviser Emmanuel Bonne in a meeting on Wednesday that China is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust and promote all-round cooperation, the statement said. Wang said China hopes that France would "provide solid political guarantees for bilateral relations", the Chinese ministry statement said without elaborating.

He also mentioned civil nuclear energy, aerospace, agriculture and food, artificial intelligence and new energy as areas for more cooperation. Both also discussed the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East and the global governance system, the statement said, with both sides agreeing to maintain coordinated communication.