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China, France Should Strengthen Trade Ties: Wu Bangguo
Chinese vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, who is visiting France, held talks with French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Laurent Fabius, June 25.
Wu began with his positive comments on Sino-France ties, saying relations between the two countries are developing with good momentum, as evidenced by frequent exchange of visits between senior officials and constant development of cooperation in fields of strategy, trade and culture. Both China and France are large, influential countries in the world, they share common interests in the extensive international arena. Under the current international situation, it is all the more necessary for the two sides to approach Chinese-France relations from a strategic and long-term point of view, highlight common points and common interests, properly handle existing differences, uphold the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, they should show special respect to each other's major concerns and further promote new development in the overall partnership between the two.
Wu expressed his satisfaction over the two countries' trade ties, adding that last year the trade volume reached US$7.66bn, up 14.2 percent over the previous year and French investment in China has been growing. He hopes the two parties would make full of each other's advantages of strong mutual economic complementation to explore new cooperation fields. Wu said China had recently reached multilateral agreements with the US and EU on WTO membership, creating more opportunities for trade development between China and France. An important aim of his France visit, he said, is to boost bilateral economic and trade ties further forward. Wu hoped French enterprises would seize opportunities and deepen cooperation by expanding their investments in and technology transfer to China, sharpen their competitive edge by providing cheap and quality products, and strengthen cooperation in hi-tech fields and among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Fabius said the two nations enjoy good cooperation in many fields, and France pays high attention to relations with China, which can be seen from the frequent visits between high-ranking officials.
The two also had an exchange of view on furthering trade ties and technological cooperation.
After the talk, a luncheon was given in honor of Wu Bangguo and his party by Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Mr Jean-Claude Gayssot.
By PD Online Staff Li Heng
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