Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Paris Wednesday with French Senate President Christian Poncelet, and both vowed to further boost cooperation between legislatures of the two countries.  

Praising the development of France-China cooperation in recent years, Poncelet said the Senate will promote exchanges and cooperation between the French and Chinese legislatures.

He also called for closer cooperation in culture and education so as to maintain and develop the traditional friendship between the two countries for generations to come.

President Hu highly appreciated Poncelet's contributions to the development of bilateral ties over the years.

"Exchanges between the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) and the French Parliament are an important part of Sino-French relations," Hu said.

Fruitful exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures have constituted a major channel for the two peoples to better understand and communicate with each other, he noted.

"China is willing to expand its cooperation with France in various fields and intensify their dialogue and consultation in international affairs," the Chinese president said.

He expressed the conviction that Sino-French relations will move forward through joint efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2004)