French-Chinese relations warming again: Lagarde
- Source: Global Times
- [05:18 October 29 2009]
- Comments
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with France Financial Minister Christine Lagarde in Beijing, Oct. 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
By Zhang Wen
France and China are working together to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Wednesday, adding that the French-Chinese relations are getting warm again after a cold spell.
"France pays great attention to bilateral relations and is ready to make joint efforts to safeguard security and development," Lagarde said, speaking at a news conference at the end of the first day of a three-day visit to China.
"Due to the financial crisis, the France-to-China export volume fell by 8 percent," she said. "I am here now to support, help and encourage French companies in China and to promote mutual investment between China and France."
Lagarde, who met China's central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan earlier in the day, declined further comment but said European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet would visit China next month to discuss monetary issues as part of a EU delegation.
Lagarde's trip is the first stage of France trying to deepen economic and political ties with China. She said China would send a delegation to France next month to promote bilateral trade and investment. Also at the end of December, French Prime Minister François Fillon will visit China and is expected to discuss issues related to bilateral cooperation on aerospace, transportation and energy.
