Li mixes ceremony, climate change and art

Highlights of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to France:

Les Invalides and lunch

According to diplomatic protocol in France, a ceremony at Les Invalides in Parisa complex containing museums and monuments relating to the military history of France - is an exception. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls held a welcoming ceremony for Premier Li Keqiang at Les Invalides on Tuesday.

It is the first official visit by a Chinese premier to the European country in nearly a decade. A military band played the national anthems of China and France, and Li reviewed a guard of honor.

French President Francois Hollande made another exception by holding a welcoming lunch for Li.

Support on climate change

Li laid out ambitious targets for a reduction in carbon emissions. He announced the targets after meeting Hollande in Paris, which will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.

Observers said the announcement serves as a strong support to French efforts in hosting the climate change meeting. China's carbon dioxide emissions will peak by around 2030, but China will work hard to achieve the target by an even earlier date, Li said.

Rodin rerun

The Thinker, a bronze sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin, inspired Li as he visited the Rodin Museum in Paris with Valls on Tuesday.

During Valls' visit to Beijing in January, he visited an exhibition of works by Rodin with Li at the National Museum of China before the closing ceremony of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Sino-French ties.