China, France to strengthen cooperation

PARIS - China will strengthen cooperation with France and advance bilateral ties, said visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua during his recent visit to France.

On Monday Hu met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Agriculture Minister Stephane Travert, and held talks with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.

Hu said that China is willing to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries earlier this year and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two countries should jointly oppose trade protectionism and unilateralism, he added.

China will continue its opening up policy and move at its own pace regardless of how the external environment changes, Hu stressed.

The Chinese vice-premier said the two countries should strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, energy, aerospace, agriculture and finance, adding that France is welcome to join the first China International Import Expo, scheduled for November in Shanghai.

Hu called on France to further loosen restrictions on exporting high-tech products to China, keep its market for investments open, and provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, transparent and predictable business environment.

The French side reaffirmed its commitment to building a long-lasting partnership with China, and said the two countries should join hands to fight protectionism and unilateralism.

France is willing to work with China to speed up the drafting of a roadmap for trade and investment cooperation, strengthen financial cooperation, boost the export of French agricultural products to China, and push forward World Trade Organization reforms, according to the ministers.

In addition, Hu exchanged views with Le Maire on the upcoming sixth China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue.

The Chinese vice-premier also visited local enterprises and agricultural cooperatives during his stay in France.