PARIS, Feb. 26 -- France and China on Wednesday reiterated their will to lift their bilateral ties to a higher level during a meeting between French President Francois Hollande and visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi here.

Yang said positive progress continues to be achieved in the development of China-France ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations 50 years ago.

China-France ties have long been leading the development of relations between China and Western countries, the Chinese State Councilor noted.

Yang said the Chinese side is willing to work together with French side to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hollande during the latter's China visit last year on celebrations of the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties and on the future development of China-France relations.

China is willing to further high level exchanges with France and to plan and promote all-around exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in a systematic and comprehensive manner, Yang said.

He said the Chinese side is willing to work together with the French side for continued growth of the strategic and global significance of China-France relations and a higher level of bilateral ties.

Hollande, for his part, said France and China share broad common interests and have been conducting cooperation in various fields.

He said France highly values its relations with China and is looking forward to the Chinese leader's French visit as both countries are celebrating the historic 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

France is willing to lift the level of France-China cooperation in an all-around manner and bring about closer bilateral ties, Hollande said.

Also on Wednesday, Yang met French President's Diplomatic Advisor Paul Jean-Ortiz in a new round of China-France strategic dialogue, and met with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

Old photos: Precious moments in Sino-French ties I