On November 26, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is paying his first visit to China. Both sides also exchanged views on the RMB exchange rate, protection of intellectual property rights and other issues.

During the meeting, Wen said China and France enjoyed solid political foundations and mutually reciprocal economies, as well as close cultural exchanges. "The development of Sino-French relations is strategic, comprehensive and stable," Wen said. Over the past decades, because of the strategic consideration, the two countries have improved political trust, increased common interest and expanded areas of cooperation, Wen said, adding that this trend will not change.

He said China valued relations with France and would further the all-round and strategic partnership. China is committed to long-term, all-round and stable relations with France in order to contribute to world peace and prosperity, said the Chinese premier.

Wen pointed out that China and France had conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation and achieved a win-win deal, which helps to promote economic development of the two countries. The two sides should enhance the cooperation on nuclear power, aviation, environmental protection and agriculture to enhance the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, he said.

Sarkozy said China has undergone great changes in the past three decades and the scale and speed of the changes are unprecedented in the world. Meanwhile, China is also facing major challenges. France supported China's development and hoped China would play a bigger role in safeguarding world peace. He said France valued China's concern on relevant issues, and would strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China based on equality and mutual respect so as to comprehensively advance China-France strategic partnership.

2007-11-28

2007-11-28