French President Jacques
Chirac on Tuesday hailed the all-rounded development of the
French-Chinese partnership and wished success for the Year of China
that will present hundreds of major cultural events to the French
people.
Chirac made this remark
when receiving Chinese state councilor Chen Zhili, who heads the
Chinese delegation to the inauguration ceremonies in Paris before
months of cultural events dedicated to China.
France and China have
had fruitful cooperation in international affairs and share similar
or common positions on a wide range of key issues, said
Chirac.
The two countries are
also expanding their cooperation in economic and trade relations,
with broad prospects for future development, as well as in fields
of culture, education, science and technology, he said.
Speaking on the same
occasion, Chen said the Year of China in France marks not only a
new step in
Sino-French relations, but also an unprecedented cultural event
organized outside China in another continent.
China is willing to work
with France to promote bilateral ties and contribute to the
construction of a multipolar world of cultural diversity, she
said.
The Year of China in
France, with more than 300 expositions, performances and seminars
featuring the three themes -- eternal China, China of traditions
and diversity, and China of creators and modernity, will run till
July 2004 across provinces and major cities in France.
It will be followed by
the Year of France in China from autumn 2004 to July 2005.
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(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2003)