French President Jacques Chirac met in Paris yesterday with visiting Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

 

Chirac said Chinese-French friendly ties had solid political foundations and the two countries had broad cooperation and exchanges in economic, cultural, military and other fields.

 

The Chinese-French all-round strategic partnership was established on the basis of common world views, Chirac said, adding that the two countries shared the same or similar views over many international and regional issues and had successful coordination and cooperation on the issues.

 

Chirac said France attached great importance to its relationship with China and hoped the ties would be continuously pushed forward.

 

For his part, Guo conveyed to Chirac warm regards and best wishes from President Hu Jintao.

 

Thanks to the promotion of the two presidents, the Chinese-French all-round strategic partnership had made incessant progress, Guo said.

 

He said the Chinese-French ties have entered one of the best periods in history, with mutual political trust reinforced, trade and economy exchanges intensified, and cooperation and exchanges flourishing in cultural and sci-tech fields.

 

Under the current international circumstances, to deepen the Chinese-French all-round strategic partnership was in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and also was conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity, he added.

 

Guo said that military relations between the two countries have developed smoothly in recent years, citing the frequent high-level exchanges of visits, pragmatic exchanges and cooperation, strengthened mutual understanding and trust, and enhanced consensus and friendship.

 

Guo arrived in France on July 23 for an official visit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2006)