50 years of strengthening Sino-French ties

China and France should seize the opportunity to expand their half-century-old relationship for future cooperation, said observers as President Xi Jinping pays his first visit to France and other countries in Western Europe since taking office last March.

Xi's visit shows the high importance China places on the country and is expected to set the tone for future China-France ties.

In 1964, France became the first Western country to have full diplomatic relations with China.