Li calls for closer parliamentary exchanges with France

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Claude Bartolone (R), speaker of the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, June 30, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and France, both with great culture and global influence, should further tap into their potential in people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual learning between their civilizations, added the Chinese premier.

Li also called on the legislative bodies of both countries to conduct in-depth dialogues over national development, public welfare improvement and other subjects, so as to better understand each other and consolidate public support for bilateral relations.

For his part, Bartolone said the French National Assembly supports the friendship between France and China and is committed to strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges and pushing for new progress in France's and Europe's relations with China.

Li, who arrived here from Belgium after meeting with Belgian leaders and attending the 17th China-EU leaders' meeting, is now on an official visit to France.

During his stay, he will also pay a visit to the headquarters of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.