French Prime Minister Francois Fillon arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon to start his first official visit to China since he took office.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice Premier Li Keqiang are expected to meet or hold talks with Fillon during his three-day stay in Beijing.

More than 40 French cultural figures, legislators and entrepreneurs will also accompany Fillon's visit.

Observers believe Fillon's China trip will further improve bilateral ties that were frozen in 2008 due to frictions over issues relating to Tibet and other affairs concerning China's core interest.

Bilateral relationship returned to normal track after the meetings between President Hu and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in April and September.

During this trip, China and France are expected to ink a series of agreements in a bid to boost trade ties.

Fillon said in a written interview with Xinhua that the France hoped to work with China to strengthen cooperation in the fields of nuclear power, aviation, environmental protection, medical service, telecommunications, finance and retail sales, among others.