Relations with France to be boosted, Li vows

China is to strengthen cooperation with France in the hope that this will help boost the global economy, Premier LiKeqiang told the French foreign minister in Beijing on Monday.

Li told Jean-Marc Ayrault the Chinese government attaches great importance to its ties with France. Beijing hopes to conduct in-depth cooperation with Paris infields including nuclear energy as well as working actively with it to explore other markets.

He said China hopes bilateral cooperation will promote the two countries' economic development and provide impetus for a global economic recovery.

Li said that by comprehensively deepening reform and actively expanding opening-up, China's economy can operate within a reasonable range and change for the better in the long run. It can also prevent systemic financial risks and maintain stability in the finance sector.

Ayrault said, "I am fully confident about French-Chinese ties as well as China's economic development."

He said France hopes to keep promoting exchanges and cooperation with China in fields including nuclear energy and electricity, and strengthen multilateral communication and collaboration.

Ayrault's official visit to China comes days after the European Parliament passed a nonlegislative resolution opposing China's market economy status.

Ayrault also met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday. Wang said China hopes to further enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen pragmatic bilateral cooperation with France.

Wang also urged the European Union to "keep its promise" and end its anti-dumping "surrogate country" approach to China, in accordance with China's accession protocol to the World Trade Organization.

Cui Hongjian, head of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said Sino-French relations have "hope and opportunities" as well as "difficulties and challenges".

He said now is a crucial time for the development of these relations, and France should show more sincerity in conducting bilateral cooperation and improving the efficiency of its domestic reform policies.

Cui said Wang's remarks indicate that China hopes that France will "play its due part in the European Union" in working for a result that satisfies and benefits both China and the EU.