Visiting Premier Wen Jiabao met in Paris Monday with French President Jacques Chirac to exchange views on further promotion of Sino-French cooperation.

The two leaders spoke highly of Sino-French ties and reached consensus on further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

Wen said cooperation between the two countries has deepened in various sectors. The closeness of bilateral ties is contributing to boosting development of the two economies and world peace and prosperity as well.

Wen said that sustainable and sound development of Sino-French relations is due to the strategic perspective and long-term views of the two sides over bilateral ties, their spirit of independence and tolerance as well as their advocacy of mutual confidence through dialogue.

The development of Sino-French ties has proved that countries of different social systems are able to coexist in peace and cooperate well, Wen said.

Both being permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France should further strengthen the exchange of high-level dialogue, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, jointly defend the UN's authority and deal with the challenge of traditional and non-traditional security issues.

Wen also said that Sino-French cooperation has vast potential yet to be tapped in all sectors, with the common hope of boosting mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the two countries to achieve a win-win situation.

Speaking on the same occasion, Chirac said that France and China share common views on major international issues and have very fruitful cooperation within the framework of the UN.

He said China is playing an active and important role in international affairs, which is appreciated and supported by France, Chirac said, noting that France is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in this respect.

France adopts an active and firm attitude toward cooperation with China in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, culture and youth affairs. The two sides should work to build the future structure of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, Chirac noted.

Chirac said France will act to promote the development of relations between China and the EU and make continued efforts to settle China's rational concerns. He reaffirmed his country's continued pursuance of the One-China policy.

Before meeting with Chirac, Wen also met with Speaker of the French National Parliament, Jean-Louis Debre.

In talks with Debre, Wen said that the development of Sino-French ties is based on strategic decision of the two countries' leaders.

Wen said that 400 French young people would be invited to China next year and that exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries will universally boost friendship between the two peoples.

For his part, Debre said that the French people have a deep affection toward the Chinese people, with the French longing for the splendid Chinese culture.

He expressed the hope for increasing exchanges between French youths and their Chinese counterparts and strengthening exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)