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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 26, 2003

Chinese Premier Holds Talks with French PM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's visit to China at this critical juncture in China's fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) will greatly advance bilateral relations.


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Premier Wen Welcomes French PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's visit to China at this critical juncture in China's fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) will greatly advance bilateral relations.

Wen said, during talks with Raffarin, who arrived Friday morning on an official visit, that the French prime minister's visit demonstrated the great importance the French side attaches to China-France relations and the sincere friendship between the French people and the Chinese people.

China also attaches great importance to its relations with France and considers France a priority in its foreign relations, Wen said, adding that China will work with France to help bilateral relations reach new heights.

The Chinese premier noted that China and France have had profound political relations and strategic dialogue, and share common ground on a number of major issues. The two countries are also important trading partners. They have conducted frequent cultural exchanges, as well.

Wen said the momentum in exchanges between the heads of state of the two countries should continue. China and France should strengthen dialogue, consultation and coordination within the framework of the United Nations.

Wen suggested that small and medium-sized companies of the two countries should expand cooperation in addition to the existing cooperation between big companies on major projects. Cooperation in the areas of agriculture and environmental protection should be stressed.

China welcomes French firms to further their cooperation with Chinese businesses in the areas of nuclear energy, electricity, transportation and finance, he said.

Wen said that global instability and uncertainty are definitely more evident today, and the principal global theme of peace and development is being challenged by war and by unbalanced development between developing and developed countries.

The handling of international relations under such circumstances and the search for common development in a globalized economy, therefore, have become two fundamental issues defining the world's future orientation, Wen said.

China insists on building a new global political and economic order in response to mankind's demands for continued development. China stands ready to work with France to safeguard and strengthen the role of the United Nations and to further dialogue and consultations in the international community.

The French prime minister said France is paying close attention to China's efforts in reform and opening up and admires China's achievements. France thinks China is playing an increasingly important role in today's world affairs.

Raffarin said that existing France-China relations enjoy a high level, but there is still great potential for further growth. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two, and a series of cultural activities will be held in France and China, respectively.

France hopes to expand cooperation with China in the areas of agriculture, transportation, energy and environmental protection, and hopes to advance bilateral relations with China, he said.

Following the talks, Wen and Raffarin attended a ceremony in which Chinese and French companies signed contracts on the purchase of 30 Airbus jets and on the purchase and transfer of power plant equipment.


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