Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili met with Jean-Jacques Aillagon, French minister of culture and communication, and his entourage in Beijing Tuesday.  

The French guests are here to attend the Conference on Cultures and Civilizations of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which is due to be held in Beijing from Dec. 3 to 4.

China and France are big nations representing eastern and western cultures, Chen said, noting the fact that they were both among those who proposed the conference indicated the high sense of responsibility of both nations to promote world peace through cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Chen also reviewed briefly the success of the "Chinese cultural year" event held in France since early October, and conferred in a deep-going way with Aillagon on the preparatory work for the "French cultural year" to open in China next autumn.

They both expressed belief that the cultural activities will inject new vigor into the two nations' all-round partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2003)