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France saves its highest honors for Hu

By Wu Jiao and Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-05 07:20

President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing (right) are greeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni (left) upon arrival at Orly airport near Paris on Thursday at the start of a three-day visit, Nov 4, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

In addition to political and global issues, the visit by Hu will also witness concrete agreements to be signed.

Plane maker Airbus and nuclear energy giant Avena are reported to be the major winners of the Chinese deals in the visit.

"Such deals are likely to have a deep influence on re-vitalization of the European economy and help them get rid of the shadow cast by the economic crisis," he said.

Liu Jiansheng, an expert on European studies with the China Institute of International Studies, said the nuclear plant pacts show that the two nations are seeking to break through the traditional trade cooperation to forge a new pattern, especially in the green industry.

France was the first Western country to have nuclear technology exchanges with China.

It was also the first nation from the West to forge ambassador-level diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.

However, ties between France and China have been tense in recent years following a number of diplomatic spats. Sarkozy and Hu patched up relations during a visit by the French leader to Beijing in April.

Since then, Beijing has adopted a more friendly tone. Hu told the pro-government French newspaper Le Figaro on Tuesday that China wants to go beyond simple commercial and investment issues to create a "partnership of equals" with Paris.

This will involve "new partnerships in energy, the environment, information technology, high-end industry, new energy sources and new materials", Hu said.

Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has experienced an average annual growth rate of about 18 percent over the past 10 years, he said.

Since the two countries have differences in national conditions, social systems, the stage of economic development, culture and history, it was natural for them to have certain different views and stands, Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan said on Monday.

"What's more important is that the leaders and peoples of the two nations agree to promote candid dialogue and exchanges to enhance understanding and trust on the basis of mutual respect."

Meanwhile, they should also attach importance to each other's core interests and major concerns, Kong stressed.

President Hu Jintao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy review the guard of honor upon arrival at Orly airport near Paris on Thursday, Nov 4, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]