China and France agree to strengthen ties (Source: AFP/Getty)

The agreement was reached during Tuesday talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing. Xi said Macron is the first foreign head of state to visit China in 2018, and the first European leader to visit China since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He said China stands ready to create new momentum for the development of their partnership. Xi called for more strategic cooperation in healthcare, aviation, agriculture, and nuclear energy.

Macron said the two sides emphasized the importance of working together to combat climate change, since the United States has backed away from global efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The leaders witnessed the signing of multibillion dollar agreements on nuclear energy and aviation.