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China-France relations back on track

By Fu Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-22 14:05

Chinese and French leaders said today (Beijing time) the bilateral relationship between China and France has achieved promising progress after the two sides tried to bring relations back to normal after ties soured last December when French president Nicolas Sarkozy met with the Dalai Lama.

Related readings:  Chinese govt urges France to mend ties  France's image takes a beating in China  China lodges strong protest to France over Dalai Lama meeting  France urged to 'make concrete efforts' to mend bilateral ties

Chinese president Hu Jintao said the two sides put the relationship on the right track in April by issuing a press communiqué just hours before the two presidents met in London ahead of a G20 summit on the global financial crisis.

"Now I have seen the promising progress," said Hu when meeting with his counterpart Sarkozy nearly half a year later during the UN climate change summit and G20 leaders' summit.

Sarkozy is more optimistic, saying the bilateral relationship is running ahead like a high-speed train and praised Hu for his contribution to China-France relations.

"Only through the efforts from yourself can we achieve such progress," said Sarkozy.