China's successful issuance of 4 billion euros of sovereign bonds in France is a significant move to support Paris in its effort to build itself into an international financial center, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks in talks with his visiting French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the People's Great Hall in Beijing. Macron, who is on a state visit to China, attended the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Xi said the country’s first euro-denominated sovereign bonds issuance in 15 years is also an important step to deepen financial cooperation between China and France as well as between China and the European Union.

The Ministry of Finance issued the bonds in Paris on Tuesday.