China-France ties to be enhanced
France: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Thursday that he
saw major development opportunity for China-France relations in the year
2010.
Yang said that in a keynote speech on China’s relations with France
and the European Union (EU) at the French Institute for International
Relations in Paris.
China-France relations have enjoyed steady growth since the two
nations forged diplomatic ties 46 years ago, he said.
The strategic significance of the relationship goes far beyond the
bilateral scope, producing important influence globally, Yang said.
China is willing to work with France to strength political trust,
promote reciprocal cooperation and enhance people-to-people and cultural
exchanges on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,
he said.
China is ready to push bilateral relations to a new height, Yang
added.
On China-EU relations, Yang said the two sides have been engaged in
wide-ranging multi-dimensional and multi-level cooperation, and forged a
comprehensive strategic partnership.
The EU has become China’s biggest trading partner, and China the
second biggest trading partner of the EU, Yang said.
The two sides have launched their annual summit mechanism and set up
17 political consultation mechanisms, he noted.
Yang said the comprehensive development of China-EU relations has
fully demonstrated that the two sides have broad common interests.
Seizing opportunities in new circumstances, the two sides should
avoid setbacks, promote practical cooperation and enhance communication
and coordination so as to further invigorate China-EU relations.
They should also jointly oppose trade protectionism and make
concerted efforts in tackling global challenges, he said.
The minister stressed that China’s growth correlated closely with the
world’s development.
As a responsible big nation, China has always been a staunch force in
safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, he said.
China would continue to adhere to the path of peaceful development
and its opening-up strategy to help build a harmonious world with
sustained peace and common prosperity. Yang has met President Nicolas
Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
The Chinese foreign minister is on a five-nation tour, which has
already taken him to Britain, Cyprus and Turkey. The last leg of his
trip is Germany. PARIS, Friday, Xinhua |