Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L, front) shakes hands with researchers while he visited the Biomerieux research center in Lyon, France, March 26, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

LYON, France -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday visited Biomerieux research center in Lyon during his trip to France.

The Chinese leader said China and France have been undertaking frequent exchanges, and sharing broad prospect in boosting their cooperation in the health sector.

For decades, the center has been working with relevant Chinese agencies in such fields as tuberculosis prevention and treatment, infection control and emerging infectious diseases control.

The two sides have been running production and research base in the Chinese metropolitan of Shanghai and a P4 biosafety lab in Wuhan city in Central China.

Xi appreciated the contribution made by the Institut Merieux in promoting friendship and cooperation between China and France.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L, front) and his wife Peng Liyuan (4th L, front) listen to the introduction of the Biomerieux research center in Lyon, France, March 26, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

He noted that Beijing is promoting reforms in public health sector, while improving health services system is considered as one of the government's priority.

Meanwhile, China is working to build up its abilities in major contagious diseases prevention and treatment in a bid to improve the health of the Chinese people, he added.

He hoped that the Institut Merieux could continue to help to promote bilateral health cooperation between the two countries.

Xi arrived here in Lyon on Tuesday, the first stop of his France trip.Later, the Chinese president will travel to Paris, where he will hold talks with French President Francois Hollande.

The two leaders are also expected to join a celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

France is the second leg of Xi's ongoing four-nation Europe trip, which will also take him to Germany and Belgium.

Before arriving in France, Xi visited the Netherlands and attended the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague.