On the afternoon of March 30, 2011, President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is here in China for a seminar on the international monetary system.
Hu said that China-France relations have made new progress in the past year. The leaders of the two countries have reached important consensus on building China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, pushing the ties to a new stage of development. This year is important to the development of China-France relations. Both sides should maintain the momentum of exchanges at high and other levels, strengthen dialogue and communication, build up strategic trust and respect and accommodate each other’s major concerns. Both sides should deepen cooperation on traditional fields including economy, trade, aviation and aerospace, expand cooperation on such emerging industries as new energy, new materials and circular economy, especially on nuclear safety, broaden two-way investment and uplift the level of cooperation. Hu urged both sides to advance humanities exchanges and well hold the "language year" serial activities and the visit to China of the first group of 100 French youths in a bid to push forward China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Libyan situation has captured international attention and China is greatly concerned about the situation, Hu said, adding that China believes that the UN Security Council's resolution on Libya aims to quell violence and protect civilians. "If military action brings disaster to civilians and causes a humanitarian crisis, then it runs counter to the purpose of the UN resolution," Hu said.
Hu said China believes that the independence, sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity of a country should be respected and that China is against the use of force in international affairs. History has repeatedly shown that the use of force is not an answer to problems, but only makes them more complicated, said Hu. "Dialogue and other peaceful means are the ultimate solutions to problems," Hu said.
"We have noticed that some countries and regional organizations have raised proposals and suggestions in solving the Libya crisis, which did not lack constructive ideas," Hu said. Hu said China believes it is in the interests of all concerned parties to positively respond to these proposals. Stressing China's support of political efforts to ease the tension in Libya, Hu said China has called on relevant parties to immediately cease fire, seek peaceful ways to solve problems and avoid more civilian casualties so that Libya will restore stability as soon as possible.
When talking about the G20 summit, Hu said China supports France in hosting the G20 Cannes Summit and is ready to enhance communication and coordination with France and other member countries.
Sarkozy said France attaches great importance to promoting friendly cooperation with China and both peoples share unswerving friendship. The French feel happy that China has become an indispensable force in recent years with its steadily developing economy and growing national strength. President Hu made a successful state visit to France last year. This year is significant to France-China relations, Sarkozy said, adding both sides should continue to maintain the sound growth momentum of bilateral ties and enhance high-level exchanges of visits and cooperation in all areas. France is willing to maintain contacts with China in regard to reforming the international monetary system, and is looking forward to President Hu's attendance at the G20 summit in Cannes later this year. France also hopes to resolve the Libyan crisis through political and diplomatic means, he said.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan and Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan attended the meeting.