Economy

China, France likely to sign nuclear, aviation deals

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-29 13:50
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BEIJING - China and France expect to sign a number  of cooperative documents in civilian nuclear energy and aviation, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said in Beijing on Thursday.

Fu made the remarks at a news briefing on Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to France and Portugal from November 4 to 11.

China and France have conducted fruitful cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and aviation, Fu said, citing the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in south China's Guangdong province and the Airbus 320 Final Assembly Line in Tianjin.

China holds a positive attitude to expanding nuclear and aviation cooperation with France, she said, adding the two sides were discussing how to broaden cooperation in these fields.

In reply to a question on whether the nationwide strike in France will affect Hu's visit, Fu said the situation in France would not affect the arranged schedule of the president.

Hu's visit to France and Portugal came in the context of the still unstable world economic recovery and the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Seoul, Fu said.

She said Hu's visit to the two countries was viewed as very significant for promoting friendly relations with the two nations and overall China-EU relations.

During his stay in France, Hu will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and meet with Prime Minister Francois Fillon and other French leaders.

Fu said the aim of Hu's visit to France was to promote the long-term and stable development of the China-France comprehensive strategic relations.

"China is satisfied with the overall development of bilateral relations," Fu said, "but we believe that our ties should reflect the change of the times."

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China hoped that, through dialogue between both leaders, the two countries would increase mutual understanding and trust and promote a partnership of equality and mutual respect between big powers.

In the economic area, China hoped the visit would promote bilateral trade and investment in achieving new progress, she said.

Fu said leaders of the two nations would also discuss on promoting China-EU relations and cooperation at the global level.

As France will take over the chair of the G20 group of leading economies in mid-November, Fu said the two leaders would exchange views on the upcoming Seoul summit and the future development of the G20 mechanism.

Leaders of both sides were also expected to discuss cooperation in high technology, energy-saving and environment protection, cultural and educational exchanges, she said, adding the two sides might also sign agreements in these areas.

In Portugal, Hu will hold talks with Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva and Prime Minister Jose Socrates and other leaders.

The two sides will discuss expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, new energy and cultural exchanges, Fu said.

China hoped to sign cooperative documents in these areas with Portugal, Fu said, adding economic and cultural cooperation will be the focus of their discussion.