Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Saturday he is fully confident about the long-term development of the Sino-French relations while urging France to make "positive" signs in dealing with major concerns of China.

The recent problems in the two countries' relations were not the responsibility of China, said Yang at a press conference on the sidelines of an annual parliament session.

He urged France to make "positive" signs when dealing with issues of major concerns of China, saying China has always highly valued the promotion of Sino-French ties.

Better relations between the two countries are "in their common interests and in accordance with the aspirations of their people," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2009)