France will take more measures tofacilitate outstanding Chinese students to study in France in the future, visiting French President Jacques Chirac said here Monday (October 11, 2004).

In a speech at the Shanghai-based Tongji University, Chirac said many good Chinese students long for opportunities to study inFrance but the number of visa for them is too small, about 7,000 to 8,000 each year.

China, a country with one fifth of the world's population, willrely on the intelligence and strength of college students to builda more tolerant, more united and more balanced world, the French president told an audience of more than 400 students.

France is willing to provide opportunities for outstanding Chinese students to study abroad and contribute to the friendship between the two countries. Several French enterprises have just expressed their willingness to assist a scholarship program for Chinese students and a China Club is setting up in France to offermore information and services for the Chinese students who want togo studying in France, said Chirac. 

 He advised the students not to fear language obstacles, saying that France will strengthen its French-language teaching program in China.

Before the speech, Chirac attended a foundation-laying ceremonyfor the China-France Center for Science, Technology and Innovationin the university.

Chirac is on a state visit to China. Shanghai is the third Chinese cities he has visited following Chengdu and Beijing.

Editor: Nit