On the afternoon of April 28, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on developing China-France relations and China-EU ties under the current international situation and reached a lot of important consensus.

Hu said that both China and France pursue an independent foreign policy and they share common language and interests in promoting world multi-polarization and democracy of international relations. To further upgrade the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, Hu made a four-point proposal. First, Hu said China hopes to work with France to maintain high-level exchanges, dialogue and consultations. The leaders of the two countries can keep in close contact through various forms on major issues of common concern. Both sides should make best use of the strategic dialogue mechanism and communicate with each other on major issues of mutual concern in a timely manner. Second, Hu suggested both sides boost pragmatic cooperation. Both sides should enhance exchanges on transformation of the mode of economic development. He said in addition to cooperation in traditional fields, the two sides should actively promote cooperation in energy saving, environmental protection, new energy, agriculture and farm produce processing, and among small and medium-size businesses to seek long-term, stable and reciprocal common development. Third, the two countries should strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides should continue to hold cultural events in each other’s country, increase the number of students studying in each other’s country, and facilitate language teaching, two-way travel, exchanges at local levels, and dialogue between both countries’ media and think tanks, so as to consolidate the social basis of China-France friendship, Hu added. Fourth, China and France should jointly meet regional and global challenges. Both sides should hold close consultations on global issues including reform of the international financial system, improving the global economic governance structure and coping with climate change as well as some regional hotspot issues. Both sides should also enhance policy coordination and resolve disputes by political and diplomatic means to create a peaceful and stable international environment. Hu said the Chinese side applauds the important role the EU plays in international affairs and appreciates the constructive position adopted by the French side in promoting China-EU relations.

Sarkozy said that China is a very important strategic partner of France and they both need to cooperate closely on major global issues such as promoting economic growth, global governance, coping with climate change and maintaining world peace. He said that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan and Tibet are both part of China. This is the policy France has been adhering to since the France-China diplomatic ties were established in 1964. There is no change in the policy. He said France is willing to work with China to further tap potential and beef up cooperation and exchanges in fields including peaceful use of nuclear energy, aviation, transport, environmental protection, finance, agriculture and humanities. France will hold the presidency of the G20 summit this November and host the 2011 summit. Sarkozy said France is willing to work closely with China to ensure a successful summit.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly met the press.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for Sarkozy at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Jiang Shusheng, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zheng Wantong, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Liu Xiaofeng, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Minister of Education Yuan Guiren, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan attended the welcome ceremony.