French Senator Thierry Meignen said that President Emmanuel Macron will seek better political alignment and closer cooperation in trade and advanced technology during his upcoming visit to China. Macron is scheduled to pay a three-day state visit to China from December 3 to 5. It will be his fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit to President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to France last year that marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Noting that the visit will take place against the backdrop of a fluid and turbulent international situation, Meignen told China Global Television Network (CGTN) that Macron intends to share a more constructive and forward-looking vision with his Chinese counterpart on international political issues. "The visit comes at a complicated moment in international relations, with President Trump in the United States and tariffs creating a generally difficult context, along with issues like the war in Ukraine and Gaza. I think the French president, President Macron, is coming to China to seek partners and support during this visit. Our country, France, and China are sometimes distant instead of being able to come closer together, but we have a long history and something in common. There is diversity, and I think our countries need to get closer and have an aligned vision of international politics," he said. The senator pointed out that strengthening bilateral trade remains a strategic priority at this moment of economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. "China has a very large market, and France needs to export its products. It also needs, in several areas, to rely on Chinese expertise. I think this is the area that the president wants to explore and better develop," said Meignen. China is France's largest trading partner in Asia, while France is China's third-largest trading partner and the third-largest source of actual investment within the European Union. Meignen said that rather than simply importing and exporting products, the high-tech sectors hold the greatest potential in cooperation between these trade partners as France attempts to catch up with China and the United States in the technological race. "Today, we know that China is ahead in the field of advanced technologies, and this is probably why people come to China -- to seek cutting-edge technology. France used to specialize in a number of areas, such as the aerospace industry and high-speed trains. Today, I think we are somewhat behind in these sectors. And then there is artificial intelligence, which will be a key issue for the future. I believe France fears it has fallen slightly behind China and the United States. These are the issues, I think that during Macron's visit to China, discussions will be held around these issues," said Meignen. SHOTLIST: FILE: Paris, France - May 6, 2024 1. Various of Elysee Palace; French national flag; FILE: Paris, France - 2015 2. Various of French National Assembly building; China - Recent 3. Interview in progress; 4. SOUNDBITE (French) Thierry Meignen, French senator (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shot 5): "The visit comes at a complicated moment in international relations, with President Trump in the United States and tariffs creating a generally difficult context, along with issues like the war in Ukraine and Gaza. I think the French president, President Macron, is coming to China to seek partners and support during this visit. Our country, France, and China are sometimes distant instead of being able to come closer together, but we have a long history and something in common. There is diversity, and I think our countries need to get closer and have an aligned vision of international politics."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Interview in progress; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Paris, France - March 26-27, 2019 6. Various of Arc de Triomphe, national flag of France; FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown 7. Aerial shot of Tian'anmen Square, Chinese national flag; 8. Tian'anmen Rostrum, ornamental column; China - Recent 9. Interview in progress; 10. SOUNDBITE (French) Thierry Meignen, French senator (starting with shot 9): "China has a very large market, and France needs to export its products. It also needs, in several areas, to rely on Chinese expertise. I think this is the area that the president wants to explore and better develop."; FILE: Paris, France - April 28, 2024 11. Traffic; 12. Eiffel Tower; China - Recent 13. SOUNDBITE (French) Thierry Meignen, French senator (partially overlaid with shot 14): "Today, we know that China is ahead in the field of advanced technologies, and this is probably why people come to China -- to seek cutting-edge technology. France used to specialize in a number of areas, such as the aerospace industry and high-speed trains. Today, I think we are somewhat behind in these sectors. And then there is artificial intelligence, which will be a key issue for the future. I believe France fears it has fallen slightly behind China and the United States. These are the issues, I think that during Macron's visit to China, discussions will be held around these issues."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 14. Interview in progress; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown 15. Various of Tian'anmen Square, Chinese national flag. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]