President Hu Jintao met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this afternoon. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, world economic and financial situation, G20 and other issues of common interest.
While discussing China-France relations, President Hu Jintao says bilateral ties have maintained a sound momentum of rapid development since early this year. There are frequent exchange of high-level visits, robust growth in bilateral business cooperation and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. The two countries keep close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues. China attaches great importance to its relations with France and is ready to work together with the French side to further bilateral exchange and cooperation in business ties, nuclear energy, science and technology, culture, education and other fields and consolidate popular support for China-France friendship. China is willing to strengthen strategic coordination with France in multilateral mechanisms and on the global level and make joint effort to address international economic and financial risks, safeguard global financial stability and promote world economic recovery.
President Sarkozy says that bilateral relationship is developing smoothly, with successful strategic dialogue, growing strategic mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various areas. France is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations and is ready to step up dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields of political exchanges, business and nuclear energy in order to move bilateral relations up to a new level.
On sovereign debt issue in Europe, President Hu Jintao says, China has been following the impacts of the sovereign debt issue in Europe. China hopes that the European economy could remain stable and wishes all the success to fiscal and financial reforms of relevant countries. China has confidence in the European economy and in the euro. China is convinced that Europe has the wisdom and ability to overcome current difficulties and maintain economic stability and growth. China will continue to make Europe as a major investment market and looks forward to measures by the European side to ensure the security of Chinese investment in Europe.
President Sarkozy says the eurozone is taking measures to advance fiscal and financial reforms of relevant countries and improve economic governance in the eurozone, France is grateful for China’s confidence in the European economy and the euro.
On G20, Presdient Hu Jintao says that destabilizing factors and uncertainties in the world economy is on the rise, posing serious challenges to global economic development. The international community should rise to the challenges together with greater solidarity and confidence. The G20 summit in Cannes due in November is an important gathering much looked forward to by all sides. China agrees with the core topics set for the summit and appreciates the effective preparations by the French side. China will continue to support and participate in work related to the summit and work together with all G20 members to contribute to its success.
President Sarkozy says that the current world economic and financial situation is a reason for concern. China plays an important role in major economic issues of the world. As the chair of the G20, France is willing to discuss major issues confronting the world economy with China and enhance communication and coordination with all sides to make sure that the Cannes summit will play an active role for world economic recovery.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Finance Minister Xie Xuren, Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People’s Bank of China and Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan were present at the meeting.