China welcomes France to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and encourages companies on both sides to cooperate under the framework of the initiative, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi, while meeting with French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, called on both sides to oppose all forms of protectionism and push forward economic globalization that is open, inclusive, balanced and mutually beneficial.

Saying that the China-France relations are developing smoothly, Xi urged the implementation of key projects between the two countries. He added that the two have taken each other's major concerns and core interests into consideration in recent years.