China and France should enhance cooperation in the interest of world peace, stability and development, the chairman of China's Central Military Commission said Thursday.
Jiang Zemin made the comment when meeting former French President Valery Giscard D'Estaing, who led a business delegation to Beijing for the Ninth China-France Economic Seminar, which is scheduled to finish today.
D'Estaing said France and China shared similar views on many international issues, and the two sides can further communication and coordination on relevant issues.
He hoped the two countries would enhance trade and economic cooperation to promote bilateral ties.
Chinese and French business people are encouraged to work together in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games to strengthen the friendly cooperation between the two sides, Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi said at the opening of the seminar, which began yesterday.
She said the Beijing Olympiad will bring huge business opportunities for France and other countries throughout the world.
"China always attaches great importance to economic cooperation with France," Wu said. She said the Chinese Government will support Beijing in its preparations for the Games because it will be a great driving force for China's urban construction and sustainable economic growth.
The annual seminar is hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the municipal government of Beijing and the France-China Committee. The theme of the seminar is "The 2008 Olympiad and the sustainable development of China."
Wu said China will continue to exercise a pro-active fiscal policy, a stable monetary policy and a policy of opening-up to the world. She said this year's economic growth target of about 7 per cent is achievable.
More than 700 Chinese and French business people are attending the seminar.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics has provided a precious opportunity for international enterprises to work and grow together, Beijing's Vice-Mayor Liu Jingmin said at the seminar.
Liu said Beijing had promised to host a "green Olympics," a "people's Olympics" and a "high-tech Olympics," with the purpose of boosting economic growth and social progress in the city.
(China Daily April 4, 2003)
