French President Jacques Chirac arrived in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon, starting his four-day state visit to China.

 

He is scheduled to hold talks with President Hu Jintao, and meet with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.

 

This is Chirac's fourth visit to China as French president.

 

"The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations in an effort to further China-France partnership, and other regional and international issues of mutual concern," a source with Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

 

Issues concerning the growing trade ties between the two countries is also expected to be discussed, the source added.

 

With 30 entrepreneurs including executives from Carrefour and Airbus in his entourages, Chirac's visit is expected to help boost the economic and trade ties between the two countries in key fields such as aeronautics, nuclear energy, railway transportation, telecommunications and financial services.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2006)