Li Peng, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a French delegation led by Senator Charles Pasqua in Beijing later October 25.

　 Li hoped the visit would allow the guests to see and understand more about China's development.

　 He reviewed the history of Sino-French exchanges and told the guests that the Chinese people appreciated the hospitality extended by the French people and President Jacques Chirac to Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who was on a state visit to France.

　 On international affairs, Li pointed out that the world is still far from complete peace after the Cold War. "China believes that the world should be multi-polar instead of single-polar, for a single-polar world can be a world of imbalance," he told the guests.

　 Also, he stressed that the development path of a country could only be chosen by its own people and state sovereignty should never be infringed upon.

　 He reiterated that China opposed such rhetoric as "human rights over sovereignty," for it provided an excuse to interfere into another country's sovereignty. "China and France share identical or similar views on such issues," he said.

　 Pasqua told Li that one of the basic principles of the French foreign policy set forth by General Charles de Gaulle specified that people of a country have the right to choose their social system in accordance with their own historic and cultural characteristics.

　 He agreed with Li's views on a multi-polar world, saying that only a multi-polar world can ensure world stability. State sovereignty is important, he said, adding that the "interference theory" has caused instability in certain regions.

　 The only superpower in the world not only considers its social system the best in the world, but also always wishes to impose this system upon others, he said.

　 He told Li that the European Union should be more unified and independent from the United States. "We should defend our independence and sovereignty," he said.

　 He also commented on the success of the ongoing state visit by President Jiang.

　 Pasqua and his party are here as guests of the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee. (Xinhua)