Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday offered his sincere congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy for his victory in the French presidential election on Sunday.

In his congratulatory message, President Hu praised the development undergone by China and France's comprehensive strategic partnership in recent years.

Real progress has been seen in many areas ranging from politics, economy and trade and extending to science and technology, education and the judiciary. The two countries have also maintained close coordination on many issues of mutual concern, Hu added.

The Chinese president hailed China-France relations as a paragon of mutual respect and friendly coexistence between countries which have charted differing historical and cultural paths whilst standing at contrasting development stages.

Moving forward with the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership will not only bring about benefits for both countries and their peoples, but will also prove conducive to world peace, stability and development, he said.

President Hu stands ready to collaborate with Sarkozy under the principles laid down in key documents such as the China-France Joint Statement. This will help promote the development of bilateral relations in a long-term manner, and lead to a new page of bilateral relations being written in a feeling of companionship and cooperation.

Right-winger Sarkozy claimed the French presidency after winning 53.7 percent of the vote in Sunday's second round against Socialist Segolene Royal. He will succeed 74-year-old Jacques Chirac, who has ruled France for 12 years, and who has famously been a long-standing friend of China's.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2007)