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Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) and his wife Liu Yongqing (1st R) pose for a group photo with French President Jacques Chirac (2nd L) and his wife Bernadette Chirac in front of the Zhengyang Gate at southern Tian'anmen Square in Beijing Oct. 9, 2004. The Gate is bathed in the light of three colors representing that of French national flag.President Chirac was in China on a five-day state visit as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao. (Xinhua Photo)

Zhengyang Gate is bathed in the light of three colors representing that of French national flag. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) accompanies French President Jacques Chirac in reviewing a guard of honor during the welcoming ceremony Hu hosts for Chirac's visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Oct. 9, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) and his wife (1st L) pose for a photo with French President Jacques Chirac (2nd R) and his wife (1st R) during a welcoming ceremony Hu hosts for Chirac's visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Oct. 9, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao and French President Jacques Chirac held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Saturday (Oct. 9) afternoon, exchanging views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern.

Both sides agreed that the important consensus on deepening bilateral relations reached by the two leaders at the beginning of this year is being fulfilled and Sino-French relations manifest new vigor and energy.

The two leaders emphasized that the Sino-French Culture Year is a pioneering undertaking in the history of bilateral cultural exchanges and is expected to exert profound influences on development of bilateral relations.

Both sides also agreed to further promote and deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields and lift to a higher level the Sino-French and Sino-European all-around strategic partnership relations.

Sino-French relations have proceeded smoothly over the past several years, and political trust and strategic cooperation have been strengthened, Hu said, noting that the trade cooperation between the two countries has seen new progress, with a drastic growth of bilateral trade volume. He added that the exchanges in other fields have achieved fruitful results and the cooperation in international and multilateral fields has also been effective.

"The Sino-French relations have entered a new stage of comprehensive and fast development," he said.

Hu raised a four-point proposal on promoting Sino-French ties during the talks. He suggested China and France enhance strategic dialogue and cooperation, enhance exchange between state leaders and forge a mechanism of annual meeting between state leaders of the two countries.

He proposed to strengthen Sino-French economic and trade ties through cooperation in aviation, spaceflight, transportation, nuclear energy, high-tech industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture and environmental protection.

Hu suggested that the two countries enhance exchange and cooperation in culture, education and science and technology, and explore new ways of cooperation in those areas by summing up experiences of the Chinese Culture Year in France and the French Year in China.

He also suggested that the two countries step up coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues, promoting democracy in international relations and diversity in mode of development.

Chirac said he was glad to visit China again. France and China have advanced their cooperation in an all-round manner and scored encouraging results, he said. The French Government firmly supports the one-China principle and opposes any move that will lead to intensification of cross-Strait situation or Taiwan independence, Chirac said.

He said he completely agreed to Hu's four-point proposal on developing bilateral all-round strategic partnership relations. He said France is ready to make joint efforts with China for friendly cooperation in various fields.

Following their talks, the two presidents attended the signing ceremony on a batch of cooperative documents.

Editor: Olivia