Beijing                                                                                                                                                                                                08 Jasn 2018                                                                                                                                                                                  (Xinhua News)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing Monday evening.

The French president is paying a state visit to China from Monday to Wednesday. He arrived in Beijing Monday afternoon after a half-day visit to China's northwestern city Xi'an.

French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China, from January 8 to 10, is of great significance to bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing.

"This is his first state visit to China," Geng said here Friday, noting it has great significance for China-France - ties.

During the visit, Chinese President XI Jinping will hold a series of events for Macron's state visit. The two heads of state will review the past achievement of bilateral ties, outline the direction for future cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields, so as to further strengthen bilateral ties, according to Geng.

Xi and Macron will also exchange opinions on major international and regional issues, and discuss strengthening cooperation to safeguard multilateralism, build an open world economy, improve global governance, and work jointly to tackle global challenges, said Geng.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang will also meet with Macron, Geng said.

Macron will visit the Forbidden City in Beijing. He will also visit Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, which is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors.