French President Jacques Chirac left Beijing for Shanghai by special plane Monday morning to continue his China tour.

Chirac arrived in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Friday evening to start his five-day state visit to China, and came to Beijing Saturday.

During his stay in Beijing, Chirac held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, met with Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao respectively.

Chirac also attended opening activities of the French Culture Year in Beijing.

It's the third time for Chirac to visit China as French president. Previously, he visited China separately in 1997 and 2000.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2004)