Vice Premier Wang Qishan said Wednesday China had always valued its relationship with France, and said he hoped the two countries could work together to promote bilateral ties.

Wang met Jean-David Levitte, a diplomatic adviser to French President Nicolas Sarkozy Wednesday.

Relations had developed smoothly on the whole since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 45 years ago, he said.

Wang said he hoped the two countries could handle the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, earnestly respect and accommodate each other's core concerns, advance mutual political trust and understanding, and expand cooperation in fields such as trade and investment, to further the relationship in a healthy and stable manner.

"France highly values its relations with China," said Levitte, who spent his stay in Beijing in a flurry of meetings with senior Chinese officials.

He said France would deepen mutual trust with China, respect China's core interests and actively facilitate bilateral cooperation, in efforts to realize further development of the relationship in new times.

They also exchanged views on combating the global financial crisis and the upcoming G20 summit in the U.S. city of Pittsburgh on Sept. 24-25.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also met with Levitte Wednesday.

Yang expressed China's hopes for closer exchanges between the two nations at different levels, and coordination in efforts to tackle the financial crisis and global challenges.

Levitte said France would make efforts to advance the bilateral, comprehensive and strategic partnership along normal lines.

France was ready to play a positive role in developing Sino-EU relations, he said.

Levitte will wrap up the visit Thursday, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2009)