Beijing has been providing the normal registration for French companies and investment, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remark at a regular press conference when commenting on a report saying French companies and investment registration had been suspended in Beijing during the Olympic Games.

He said China and France had maintained good momentum on trade and economic cooperation in recent years.

Liu indicated the trade volume between the two countries hit 18.26 billion U.S. dollars in the first half, a 25.8 percent increase year-on-year. The figure was expected to exceed 40 billion U.S. dollars at year end.

Also in the first half, China approved 3,639 French-invested enterprises, and the French actual investment in China had reached 8.53 billion U.S. dollars, fourth highest among European Union nations.

He said Beijing approved 21 French enterprises in the same period, including five registered in June and July, a 31 percent increase compared with the same period last year. It also approved a capital increase and stock ownership transfer of 14 French companies.

Liu said China would work with France to enhance economic and trade cooperation and bilateral strategic partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)