President Hu: China values ties with France, unwilling to see events hurting Chinese feelings

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-25-2008 08:19

President Hu Jintao has met with the president of the French Senate. The two agreed that China and France should raise their ties to a new level. Also on Thursday, Premier Wen Jiabao and a former French prime minister stressed the importance of good relations between the two countries.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet (L) in Beijing, April 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

In his meeting with Christian Poncelet, Hu Jintao noted that a series of unfriendly incidents towards China and its people have taken place recently in France, in particular the disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Paris. Hu said these incidents were unexpected and have hurt Chinese people's feelings.

Hu Jintao stressed that the Chinese government values Sino-French relations and intends to maintain full cooperation with France. He hoped the French government could confront the current issues and work with China to solve any problems. Hu also hoped the two sides would keep promoting strategic partnerships.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet in Beijing, April 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Poncelet reiterated that the French government respects China's sovereignty and unification and considers Tibet and Taiwan as inalienable parts of China. He says both the Tibet and Taiwan issues are China's internal affairs. Poncelet expressed regret about the disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Paris. The speaker of the senate added that France is against any behavior that politicizes sports.

In his meeting with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Premier Wen Jiabao explained the recent issue in Tibet and the Chinese government's handling of it.

Raffarin said France strongly supports the One China Policy and that people in France and Europe should enhance their awareness of Tibet.

Raffarin wished the Beijing Olympics every success and said the recent disruptions of the torch relay went "against the Olympic spirit".

Editor:Zhang Ning