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Chinese, French presidents join hands to promote bilateral relations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-22 15:40

 

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in New York on Sept. 21, 2009. [Xinhua]

NEW YORK: Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to promote bilateral relations while meeting in New York Monday.

Hu said his meeting with Sarkozy during the G20 summit in London in April helped bring the China-France relationship back to the track of healthy development, and a good momentum has appeared recently in relations between the two countries, marked by increased high-level exchanges and a resumption of pragmatic cooperation in a variety of fields.

All this helped to build mutual political trust and boost cooperation between China and France in various areas, the Chinese president concluded.

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China attached great importance to its relations with France, and to maintain and develop a good China-France relationship was not only conducive to the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples, but also to world peace, stability and prosperity, the Chinese president added.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China was ready to work with the French side to review the historical experience of bilateral relations, and promote a healthy and steady development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

For his part, Sarkozy said he was pleased to see the rapid development of bilateral ties, and believed the France-China relationship was progressing smoothly.

Sarkozy stressed that the French-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership was very important to France, and that the French side was willing to join hands with the Chinese to build a bright future for bilateral relations.

Sarkozy declared that France would actively participate in the Shanghai Expo, scheduled to open in May 2010, and hoped the Expo would be a success.