China, France vow to strengthen dialogue, promote co-op

China and France vowed on Wednesday to strengthen dialogue to promote bilateral ties and better coordinate on global issues, while expressing strong desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields. [Special coverage]

The two sides made the pledge as Chinese President Xi Jinping is in France for a state visit at the invitation of his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

According to a mid- to long-term blueprint for the development of bilateral ties published after Xi met Hollande here on Wednesday, presidents of the two countries will continue to meet each year, and exchange ideas on major bilateral and global issues of common concern at multilateral events.

Continuous exchange of high-level visits are encouraged, while ways and content of exchange and dialogue should be enriched to demonstrate the comprehensiveness and closeness of the Sino-French ties, according to the blueprint.

The two countries will also promote the role of a high-level dialogue on economy and finance in coordinating their respective macro-economic policies, deepening financial cooperation, solving economic and trade problems, and improving global economic governance.

Also, Beijing and Paris are to enhance coordination within the UN framework on global and regional hotspot issues, jointly respond to such challenges as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and their delivery, as well as cyber security.

Meanwhile, the two sides will strengthen dialogue on African issues to assist African countries to achieve stability and development of the continent.

Moreover, they will continue to hold dialogue on cyber issues in a bid to build a peaceful, open, secure and reliable cyberspace that benefits the international community, and will go on with their exchange and cooperation within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting to boost pragmatic collaboration.

Also in the blueprint, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in a variety of fields, including the industrial and aviation sectors.

Car manufacturing is listed as a priority, as the two countries vowed to strengthen collaboration between French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen and China's Dongfeng Motor Group and Changan Automobile, respectively, and between France's Renault Group and Dongfeng.

Beijing and Paris also pledged to provide support for companies developing alternative energy and energy-efficient cars in the two countries.

At the same time, the two sides vowed to further enhance bilateral aviation cooperation, boost the development of the Airbus A320 jetliner final assembly line in China's Tianjin city so as to turn the facility into the Asian center of Airbus.

China and France also aim to build Tianjin into Airbus' manufacturing center in Asia in line with actual market demand.

Also, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries will further enhance their exchanges and cooperation in such areas as air traffic control and aviation safety.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement inked by Xi and Hollande on bilateral ties, the two leaders vowed to boost cooperation in financial and nuclear sectors.

They said they welcome the efforts of the two countries' banks and enterprises in developing the offshore Renminbi business in Paris, as well as the cooperation between the financial watchdogs of the two countries, which would help turn Paris into an important trade hub of Chinese investment in the euro zone and that of European countries in China.

Meanwhile, Beijing and Paris also pledged to push ahead with their nuclear cooperation in an all-round way, including enhancing the safety standards of the nuclear power stations that are in service or under construction, boosting the joint exploitation of the Hinkley Point and other projects in Britain and the construction of the two units at Taishan nuclear power plant in China's Guangdong Province.

Also, the two sides stressed the importance of further promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples, according to the statement.

Agreeing to further strengthen exchange between the two countries' youth and deepen cooperation in higher education, science and technology as well as innovation, the two sides also welcomed the development of cooperative partnerships between the two countries' universities.

China and France also vowed to boost exchange and cooperation in the field of broadcast and television, to encourage joint ventures in filming and production, and to expand the broadcasting and distribution of audio and visual products in each other's country.

The two sides will also intensify cooperation to jointly fight illegal trafficking, fraud and organized crimes.