Chinese president Hu meets with French French Sarkozy

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Hu Jintao and Nicolas Sakozy' meeting follows a joint communique issued by Beijing and Paris on Wednesday, which acknowledges the importance of bilateral relations and reaffirming the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

The two leaders say they will restore strategic dialogue and develop a stable partnership in politics, economy and international affairs.

Hu Jintao acknowledges divergent views on some issues, as China and France have very different social systems, cultures and economies. But he says the two sides should resolve conflicts and concerns in a spirit of mutual respect.

He says China and France, as two permanent members of the UN Security Council, should expand cooperation to maintain world peace, stability and prosperity.

The French president reaffirms the one-China policy and that Tibet is an integral part of China. He says he is pleased with the resumption of an overall strategic partnership with China and France is willing to work together with China to promote reform of international financial organizations.

Relations between China and France suffered last year when French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama despite China's strong opposition. China responded by postponing a summit between China and the EU and canceled a visit by a purchasing delegation to France.

Editor:Liu Anqi