On September 1, 2009, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with Jean-David Levitte, a diplomatic adviser to French President, in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Both sides exchanged views in a candid and in-depth manner on China-France relations, as well as major international and regional issues of common concern.

Historical experience proved that as long as the two nations could view the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, strengthen mutual political trust, properly handle differences and conflicts in line with principles of mutual respect and equality, and respect and accommodate each other's concerns, the relationship would develop soundly, said Dai. With the two countries' joint efforts, the bilateral relationship some time ago had returned to the track of recovery and development, he said. The relationship between France and China was becoming more strategic in its nature as the world underwent tremendous changes, particularly during the ongoing global financial crisis. The two countries should carry out important consensus reached by their leaders, firmly hold onto a correct orientation for the development of their relationship, and keep commitments made to each other, so as to realize sound and stable development of bilateral relations, Dai said.

Levitte said France attached great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and respected China's core interests and major concerns. He said France hoped bilateral ties would be safeguarded and developed rapidly. France was ready to work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, cement mutual political trust, actively carry out strategic dialogue and facilitate bilateral practical cooperation in all areas, in a bid to push forward bilateral ties, Levitte said. He said the world was now in the most important and sensitive times since the post-Cold War period, and China now had a critical role in the international community. The French side appreciated the rapid, effective, and wise measures that China had taken to tackle the global financial crisis, adding that China's development was conducive to the world's development.