On the morning of Dec. 6, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council held talks with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at the Great Hall of the People.
Li Keqiang said that France was one of the first major western countries that established diplomatic ties with China, and China-France relationship is a strategic, momentous and global one. In April this year, President Xi Jinping and the visiting French President Francois Hollande reached important consensus on promoting China-France relations. Both sides should face the future, insist on mutual respect, equal treatment and common development, consolidate the traditional friendship, innovate ways of cooperation, expand areas of cooperation, strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, and take opportunities of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties to promote the bilateral relations to a new high.
Li Keqiang said that China and France are both faced with the task of developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, and the two countries should closely combine respective advantages and needs, and continue to enrich the connotations of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit the two peoples.
First, both sides should expand trade and investment. Expand trade scale and upgrade cooperation. Strengthen the construction of joint agricultural labs and the cooperation in food safety, and properly build the ecological demonstration project of sustainable development in Wuhan city. Uphold the opening-up spirit to create better conditions for mutual investment. We hope the French side offers more conveniences to the staff of the Chinese enterprises in dealing with residence permit and work permit and others.
Second, both sides should strengthen nuclear energy cooperation. Develop more equal partnership in the field of nuclear power, while cooperating with each other in the R&D of new nuclear reactors and strengthening experience sharing, in the direction of jointly developing nuclear power market of a third party. We hope the French side increases technology transfer to China.
Third, both sides should deepen strategic cooperation in the field of aerospace. Actively promote the negotiations on the second phase project of Airbus' A320 Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, strengthen joint R&D and production of big planes and helicopters for civil use, and continue to push forward the satellite cooperation projects.
Fourth, both sides should strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Work together to properly hold the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism and other areas, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples. We hope the French side provides safer and more convenient travel environment for the Chinese tourists.
Li Keqiang pointed out that China attaches great importance to the development of the relationship with the EU. France is a major country at the core of the EU. We hope France adheres to the free trade principle, actively pushes forward negotiations on the China-EU Investment Agreement, and urges the UN to use trade remedy measures with caution. We hope France doesn't start the independent investigation on China's wireless communication equipment, and plays a positive role in the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations.
Jean-Marc Ayrault agreed with Li Keqiang's proposals on developing the bilateral relations. He said that the relationship between the two countries is strategic and pioneering, both countries advocate for the world multipolarization, and bilateral cooperation is also very productive. France is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communications with China, and maintain close cooperation in international and regional issues. France is willing to work with China to properly hold the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, and to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, nuclear energy, aviation, aerospace, culture, youth, tourism and other fields. The French side will offer more conveniences for the Chinese enterprises to invest in France and for the Chinese tourists to travel in France. France is willing to work with China to oppose trade protectionism and promote the bilateral cooperation to make more achievements.
After the talks, Li Keqiang and Jean-Marc Ayrault jointly unveiled the logo of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties.
Before the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Jean-Marc Ayrault at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Qi Xuchun and others were present.