Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Monday extended his congratulations to Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who has taken the post of French Prime Minister for next five years.
In a message of congratulations, Zhu said "China always attaches great importance to the relations with France".
The Chinese government is willing to join hands with the French government to continue to promote friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to further bilateral ties, said the Chinese premier.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2002)
