French President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday hailed the all-rounded development of the French-Chinese partnership and wished success for the Year of China that will present hundreds of major cultural events to the French people.

Chirac made this remark when receiving Chinese state councilor Chen Zhili, who heads the Chinese delegation to the inauguration ceremonies in Paris before months of cultural events dedicated to China.

France and China have had fruitful cooperation in international affairs and share similar or common positions on a wide range of key issues, said Chirac.

The two countries are also expanding their cooperation in economic and trade relations, with broad prospects for future development, as well as in fields of culture, education, science and technology, he said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Chen said the Year of China in France marks not only a new step in Sino-French relations, but also an unprecedented cultural event organized outside China in another continent.

China is willing to work with France to promote bilateral ties and contribute to the construction of a multipolar world of cultural diversity, she said.

The Year of China in France, with more than 300 expositions, performances and seminars featuring the three themes -- eternal China, China of traditions and diversity, and China of creators and modernity, will run till July 2004 across provinces and major cities in France.

It will be followed by the Year of France in China from autumn 2004 to July 2005.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2003)