BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron will present his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with a horse as a national gift, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Monday.

"We express our thanks and appreciation for this friendly move," Lu told a regular news briefing, adding that Macron's visit was of "great significance."

Both sides attach great importance to this visit and pledge to further develop bilateral ties, Lu said.