Chirac Calls for Closer France-China Economic Cooperation


Chirac Calls for Closer France-China Economic Cooperation
France and China should strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, French President Jacques Chirac said Tuesday when meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo.

"Based on the advantage of French technologies and the needs of China, industrial partnership and joint ventures should be developed particularly in fields such as nuclear power, aeronautics and high-speed railway transportation," Chirac said.

"The European Union (EU), as one of the world's most important political and economic entities, should deepen its relations with China. France, as a key member of the EU, is willing to develop cooperation with China in all fields," the French president told Wu.

Wu, who arrived here on Saturday for a four-day visit, said there exists vast potential for the development of relations between the two countries.

"I have come here with the aim of speeding up the development of relations between our two countries, especially the cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology," Wu said.

"I have had wide contacts with French entrepreneurs and we have reached consensus in many fields," he added.

During his visit, the Chinese Vice Premier visited Alcatel, Alsthom, Vivendi, Dassault and COGEMA -- a nuclear reprocessing firm.

He also met with Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet, French Minister of Economy and Finances Laurent Fabius and Minister of Equipment and Transport Jean-Claude Gayssot and France- China Committee President Edouard de Royere.






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