Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Paris Wednesday with French
Senate President Christian Poncelet, and both vowed to further
boost cooperation between legislatures of the two
countries.
Praising the development of France-China cooperation in recent
years, Poncelet said the Senate will promote exchanges and
cooperation between the French and Chinese legislatures.
He also called for closer cooperation in culture and education
so as to maintain and develop the traditional friendship between
the two countries for generations to come.
President Hu highly appreciated Poncelet's contributions to the
development of bilateral ties over the years.
"Exchanges between the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC)
and the French Parliament are an important part of Sino-French
relations," Hu said.
Fruitful exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures
have constituted a major channel for the two peoples to better
understand and communicate with each other, he noted.
"China is willing to expand its cooperation with France in
various fields and intensify their dialogue and consultation in
international affairs," the Chinese president said.
He expressed the conviction that Sino-French relations will move
forward through joint efforts.
(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2004)