Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday offered his sincere
congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy for his victory in the French
presidential election on Sunday.
In his congratulatory message, President Hu praised the
development undergone by China and France's comprehensive strategic
partnership in recent years.
Real progress has been seen in many areas ranging from politics,
economy and trade and extending to science and technology,
education and the judiciary. The two countries have also maintained
close coordination on many issues of mutual concern, Hu added.
The Chinese president hailed China-France relations as a paragon
of mutual respect and friendly coexistence between countries which
have charted differing historical and cultural paths whilst
standing at contrasting development stages.
Moving forward with the China-France comprehensive strategic
partnership will not only bring about benefits for both countries
and their peoples, but will also prove conducive to world peace,
stability and development, he said.
President Hu stands ready to collaborate with Sarkozy under the
principles laid down in key documents such as the China-France
Joint Statement. This will help promote the development of
bilateral relations in a long-term manner, and lead to a new page
of bilateral relations being written in a feeling of companionship
and cooperation.
Right-winger Sarkozy claimed the French presidency after winning
53.7 percent of the vote in Sunday's second round against Socialist
Segolene Royal. He will succeed 74-year-old Jacques Chirac, who has
ruled France for 12 years, and who has famously been a
long-standing friend of China's.
(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2007)
