Chinese, French leaders vow to boost ties, cooperation

Visiting top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang and French leaders have voiced their willingness to strengthen ties in a number of areas with China.

Zhang, chairman of China's top legislature the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with French President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Manuel Valls, National Assembly Speaker Claude Bartolone, and Senate President Gerard Larcher during his four-day visit to France, which concluded Tuesday.

China-France relations have witnessed all-round progress in recent years and entered a new era in their comprehensive strategic partnership, Zhang told Hollande.

He spoke of the successful meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hollande at the Group of 20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou earlier this month, saying it has infused fresh momentum into the development of bilateral ties.

Zhang said the two sides should actively carry out the agreements reached by the two heads of state, seek win-win cooperation and deepen friendly cooperation.

China is willing to cooperate with France on international issues and jointly boost the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the results of the Hangzhou Summit, Zhang added.

Hollande said France always pays great importance to the development of its relationship with China, and stands ready to further deepen practical cooperation in various ways.

He spoke highly of China's approval of the Paris Agreement and the positive results achieved by the Hangzhou Summit, saying his country is willing to join hands with China to cope with global challenges.

When meeting Valls, Zhang said China-France cooperation is built on a solid foundation and has huge potential and broad prospects.

The two sides should strengthen ties in such fields as nuclear energy, aviation, finance, third-party markets and sustainable development and create a sound environment for their respective enterprises to cooperate, he said.

Zhang stressed China's support for Europe's integration, saying his country will continue to deepen China-Europe practical relations.

He voiced his hope that France, as a core country in the European Union, will continue to play a constructive role in China-Europe relations.

Valls said bilateral relations are at their best in history and France is willing to strengthen trade with China.

During his respective meetings with Bartolone and Larcher, Zhang said exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies are an important part of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. He called for improving the legal environment for both countries to work together.

Bartolone and Larcher said the French National Assembly and Senate are ready to deepen ties with the NPC to contribute to the development of relations.

During his visit, Zhang also attended a series of events highlighting the ties between the two countries.

France is the last stop of Zhang's four-nation tour, which also took him to Israel, Palestine and Finland. Endi