NICE, France -- Vice-President Han Zheng said on Monday that China is willing to strengthen bilateral and multilateral strategic communication and coordination with France, and inject new impetus into the development of China-France relations.

Han made the remarks while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France.

Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's greetings to Macron, Han said that during a phone call last month, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual concern such as enhancing bilateral solidarity and coordination, upholding multilateralism, and promoting world peace and stability, and reached important consensus.

Han said that his attendance at the UN Ocean Conference is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, reflects support for the UN and France in holding the conference, and promotes the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Chinese vice president said that China supports France in upholding strategic autonomy.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Han said that under the current complex international situation, strengthening cooperation between China and the EU benefits both sides and the rest of the world. He added that China is willing to further expand cooperation fields with the EU and push for further development of the China-EU relations.

Expressing gratitude for Han's attendance at the UN Ocean Conference, Macron asked him to convey his cordial greetings to the Chinese president.

Macron said that France regards China as a long-term and reliable cooperation partner, and amid the current international situation full of challenges and difficulties, it is of vital importance for France and China, as two major countries, to maintain close high-level exchanges and strengthen communication and cooperation in upholding world peace and security.

France welcomes Chinese companies to invest and do business in France, and is willing to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination regarding international economic and financial policies, jointly address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity protection, uphold multilateralism, and play as two major constructive forces in this turbulent world so as to add more certainty to the world, Macron said.