China, France pledge to promote parliamentary exchange
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-14 22:39

Chinese top legislature and the French parliament agreed here Wednesday to improve the regular exchange mechanism for upgrading bilateral cooperation in all fields and relations between the two countries.

Chinese top legislator Wu Banguo and visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet reached agreement during a meeting.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), said parliamentary exchange constitutes an important component part of the state-to-state relations, and that the NPC would like to enhance its existing friendly relations with the French parliament.

Sino-French relations have developed smoothly, there is a frequent exchange of visits at the high level, bilateral cooperation has become close in all spheres and the strategic dialogues deepened, he said, adding that the two countries enjoy sound cooperation on energy resources, communication, and aviation, and maintained consultations on the international affairs.

China expressed its appreciation for France's opposition to "Taiwan Independence", and its support to the policy of "one country, two systems", Wu acknowledged.

Moreover, he said, China and France are influential nations in the world, and developing Sino-French relations conforms to the interest of the people of both countries, and is conducive to world peace and development.

Poncelet said France hopes to promote friendly exchanges between the parliaments and local governments of the two countries.

Viewing Taiwan issue as China's internal affairs, Poncelet said the French government and parliament adhere to one-China principle and is opposed to "Taiwan's Independence", and this stance of France will remain unchanged.