On January 27, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with French President Francois Hollande on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relationship.

In his congratulatory letter, Xi Jinping pointed out that, on January 27, 1964, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle made a historic decision on the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. It opened up a new era of China-Europe relations, and composed a new chapter of international relations of equality, tolerance, mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefits and win-win results. China and France are both Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council and big countries with independent spirit. The two countries are major forces in promoting the world multi-polarization, the economic globalization and the democratization of international relations. The long-term healthy and stable development of China-France relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and also conducive to world peace and development. I myself attach great importance to China-France relations, and am willing to join hands with you to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties as an opportunity, to promote the bilateral relations to a new step at the new historical starting point.

Francois Hollande said that France was the first major western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with China. General Charles de Gaulle made this great decision because both sides hold firm spirit of independence. China's unparalleled development achievements over the decades proved that it is a far-sighted decision. Spirit of Independence, along with mutual respect, cherishing sovereignty and multilateralism, forms the unshakable cornerstone of France-China relations. China will play an increasingly important role in international affairs, and the French side hopes to work with China to strengthen coordination in international and global issues, to jointly safeguard the world multi-polarization, and to join hands dealing with various crises and global challenges to promote the bilateral relations to create new brilliance.