During a meeting with French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who arrived Friday morning on an official visit, Hu said China would continue to promote dialog with the EU and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in trade and other areas.

Hu said China-France relations had maintained a good momentum over recent years, and bilateral cooperation had borne fruit.

China wished to develop its relations with France from a strategic viewpoint, taking into consideration the promotion of a multi-polarized world, meeting the challenge of a globalized economy, maintaining world peace and promoting common development, Hu said.

The EU has become an important force in the world and China paid great attention to its relations with the EU, and supported its integration, said Hu, adding that China hoped the expansion of the EU would bring new opportunities for China-EU cooperation.

Raffarin said he visited China as planned to show the political will of France to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations with China. As permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations, France and China shared similar views on many issues.

Raffarin said France hoped to keep constant consultation with China on relevant international issues. France maintained that such issues as the fight against terrorism and weapons proliferation should be resolved through diplomatic means and dialog.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2003)