Senior CPC Official Meets French Delegation

Hu Jintao Meets with French Guests

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The furthering of the Sino-French friendship and cooperation is not only in both sides' interests, but would also be conducive to the development of Sino- European relations and world peace and stability at large.

Hu Jintao, member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Vice-President, made this remark Thursday afternoon in a meeting with a delegation from the Rally for the Republic of France (RRF) headed by its President Michele Alliot-Marie.

Hu noted that since China and France forged diplomatic ties over 30 years ago, bilateral relations have made substantial progress, citing in particular that in recent years, there have been constant high-level contacts between leaders of the two sides and remarkable results scored in bilateral cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, science, technology, culture and education.

He pointed to the fact that China and France are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and share wide- ranging consensus on and common responsibility for many issues concerning world peace and development.

On the relations between the two parties, Hu said that the CPC attaches importance to the RRF's important role in French politics, saying that China will never forget former French President Charles De Gaulle who opened the gate to bilateral exchanges with admirable political courage and strategic views.

Speaking highly of the RRF's efforts in the past years for the development of bilateral friendship, Hu noted that the CPC will, in the spirit of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, continue to strengthen its friendly relations with the RRF.

He said he hopes that the two parties enhance mutual understanding and learn from each other through dialogue and exchanges in various forms so as to make new contributions to the overall development of bilateral ties in the new century.

Alliot-Marie said that France and China have their respective long history and brilliant culture, and exchanges between the two countries will be furthered as time goes by.

France and China first set up diplomatic ties when De Gaulle was in power and bilateral relations have made overall development since then, said Alliot-Marie.

She stated that both France and China uphold world peace and common development, respect the sovereignties, traditions and special characteristics of all countries, and commit themselves to the multi-polarization of the world.

The wide-ranging consensus and common ground existing between the two countries have laid a firm foundation for the future development of bilateral ties, she pointed out.

The RRF will, as always, promote and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields with China and the CPC so as to promote mutual understanding, she added.

Hu briefed the delegation on China's 10th Five-Year plan (2001-2005).

Alliot-Marie expressed her admiration for China's changes in various fields including social and economic development.

She said she wishes to have a look at China's notable achievements and explore pragmatic ways to expand exchanges and cooperation with China during this visit.