Tang said the two countries kept in close high-level contact and had consulted and worked together well in international affairs, adding that they held identical or similar views on many major international issues.

Trade between the two countries had increased last year and they signed important agreements on economic and trade cooperation, he said.

New progress was made in cultural, scientific and technological and educational exchanges and cooperation, Tang said.

De Villepin said France was willing to expand and deepen ties with China.

France was happy to see that bilateral economic and trade relations had maintained a good momentum, he said, and he hoped the two sides would boost cooperation in energy, environmental protection and aviation.

President Jacques Chirac hoped for strengthening the strategic dialog with China so that the two sides could coordinate their stances on a series of major issues, he said.

The minister said France had followed closely the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, adding France was willing to contribute to China's reforms and opening up.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2003)