BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Chinese media) -- A former French Prime Minister said here Tuesday that France values relations with China and does not intend to infringe upon China's major core concerns.
"France sticks to the one-China policy, respects and supports China's sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity," Jean-Pierre Raffarin told Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2009. (Chinese media/Liu Jiansheng)
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The issues concerning Tibet were China's internal affairs, Raffarin said, noting that France had fully recognized the sensitivity and serious consequences of related issues.
France attached great importance to China's positions and would take practical action to restore political mutual trust and promote the improvement and growth of bilateral relations, he said.
Raffarin said his country was ready to increase cooperation with China to jointly cope with the global financial crisis and other challenges.
Raffarin and his delegation were here on a visit to China from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14 at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st, R) meets with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin (1st, L) in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2009. (Chinese media/Liu Jiansheng)
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Bilateral relations hit a low after French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a private meeting with the Dalai Lama last year in Poland. China postponed the 11th China-EU Summit and lodged a strong protest against the meeting, saying it "severely undermined China's core interests."
As to current difficulties in Sino-French ties, Premier Wen Jiabao said the blame did not lie with China. He urged France to actively and positively respond to China's major core concerns.
"We will not change the basic principles of adherence to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits and non-interference in each other's internal affairs," Wen said, noting that the policy of promoting friendly bilateral relations and the determination to advance Sino-EU cooperation will not change.
The establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties benefited both peoples and also exerted great influence on the world political situation, he said.
Wen expressed the hope that Raffarin and people from all circles in France would continue efforts to improve and develop bilateral relations.
Raffarin: France hopes to ease strains in relations with China
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Chinese media) -- France hopes to ease tensions in Sino-French ties and work with China to meet the challenge of the global financial crisis, said former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin here Monday.
"We should realize how serious is the cancellation of the 11th EU-China Summit concerning the current financial crisis," Raffarin told a symposium marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Full story
China calls for France's efforts to get bilateral ties back on track
BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Chinese media) -- China called here on Tuesday for France to make concerted efforts to get soured bilateral relations back on track.
"We hope the French can attach great importance to the core concerns of China", Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a routine press conference, urging France to make "effective" and "positive" measures to collaborate with China to get bilateral relations back on track at an early date. Full story
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