Chinese Vice-premier meets French Foreign Minister
( 2001-05-25 21:20 ) (8 )

Chinese Vice-premier Qian Qichen met in Beijing Friday with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, and the two sides had sincere and friendly conversation on issues of common concern.

Vedrine is here attending the third ASEM foreign ministers' meeting.

Qian said that Sino-French relations have been developing smoothly, the two countries have kept close contact at all levels and had frequent consultations and coordination on major international issues.

Qian hopes for furthering the existing consultative system and expanding cooperation.

Vedrine said that France is satisfied with the current Sino-French relations, and is ready to promote consultations and exchanges with China on major issues so as to push forward the bilateral relations.

Qian and Vedrine reached broad consensus on major international issues.