Dai Bingguo meets Sarkozy's diplomatic adviser on ties

PARIS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo exchanged views with French President's Diplomatic Adviser Jean-David Levitte on international and European situation and Sino-French bilateral ties on Friday.

The world situations are undergoing profound changes, which has posed new challenges to all governments, said Dai.

However, efforts to face up to all the challenges present opportunity for great development and progress, he said.

"The world's future lies in reform and innovation," Dai added.

Noting on two successful meetings between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy this year, Dai said Chinese-French relation is currently on good track marked by strengthened trade cooperation, expanding people-to-people exchanges and close coordination.

Efforts should be made to implement consensus reached by the two presidents, and carry out closer, more sustainable and innovative cooperation at an enhanced level, he said.

According to the official, China and France can explore new cooperation for mutual benefits, ameliorate trade and economic cooperation, expand their coordination from traditional fields to new key sectors.

China would like to work with France to push for an active result from the G20 Summit in Cannes, Dai said, adding that the country was ready to push forward its ties with France however international situations might change.

Hailing the good momentum in French-Chinese ties, Levitte expressed a welcome on behalf of President Sarkozy for Hu to attend the G20 summit in Cannes.

France attached a great importance to developing relations with China, said Levitte, expressing hopes the two sides intensify high-level exchanges, reinforce pragmatic cooperation in all fields in a bid to bring their ties to a new phase.

Levitte briefed Dai on the debt crisis in the eurozone. In spite of all the difficulties, it is clear that Europe would go ahead with its integration process, said Levitte.

Recalling past tests and difficulties that Europe has weathered in the post-war era, Dai said he believed that efforts to battle the crisis would push forward reforms in the European countries, which in turn will benefit their integration.

"The world's countries are now in the same boat, and we have to tackle the bad situation with joint efforts," Dai said.

Dai started his two-day visit in Paris on Thursday. He is expected to travel to London, the other stop of his European tour. He will meet with Sarkozy later in the afternoon.