Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday held talks on bilateral ties and reached important consensus on developing China-France relationship.

Through joint efforts of both nations, Sino-France relations has recently showed rapid development, Yang said.

This year marks an important period for relations between France and China, therefore, the two parties should further implement important consensus reached by two leaders, continue to respect and take care of mutual concerns and promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields, Yang underlined.

The Chinese minister also expected both countries to jointly oppose trade and investment protectionism, and maintain coordination and cooperation over significant international and regional issues in a bid to contribute to worldwide peace, stability and prosperity.

Yang expressed China's willingness to use 2010 Shanghai World Expo as an opportunity to enhance comprehensive cooperations with France, such as on humanism, and to consolidate the basis of bilateral ties.

As to China-Europe relations, Yang said the two sides have massive common interests as China always attaches importance to their relations and regards Europe as its important strategic partner.

China is willing to work with Europe and France along the sound and stable development track to build on bilateral strategic relations and to promote further China-France and China-Europe ties, Yang added.

Kouchner echoed Yang's view on China's relations with France and Europe, saying France attached importance to relations with China.

France is satisfied with the friendly cooperation between the two nations and the recovery and development of bilateral ties, Kouchner said, adding that France is willing to work with China to boost Sino-France and Sino-Europe ties to better prospect.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on climate change and other mutually concerned international and regional issues during their talks, which followed by a joint conference. Yang is on a five-nation tour, which has already taken him to Britain and Turkey. After a two-day visit in France, he will attend a meeting on security policy in Munich, Germany on Feb. 5-7.