Chinese Premier Li Qiang has told French President Emmanuel Macron that China hopes to strengthen its relations with France.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Li visited France and met Macron on Thursday, following his visit to Germany.

Li said China and France, as well as Europe, each have their own strengths, and they should enhance mutual cooperation. He cited nuclear energy, aviation and artificial intelligence as fields where the parties can profit mutually.

Li stressed that China continues to be willing to exchange views with France over international affairs and to work to promote global peace and stabilization.

Macron replied that France regards its relations with China as highly important. He noted that the two countries should maintain effective multilateralism and work toward resolving global issues.

Macron visited China in April and met Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an interview after the visit, he insisted that Europe should be independent of both China and the United States over Taiwan. The remark drew criticism in Western countries.

China is apparently seeking to check US-led pressure to contain the country by boosting coordination with France.