Chinese vice premier discusses climate change with French president

Zhang Gaoli, Chinese vice premier and President Xi Jinping's special envoy, addresses the United Nations Climate Summit 2014 at the UN headquarters in New York Sept 23, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China is willing to join hands with France to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, enhance strategic mutual-trust and deepen their pragmatic cooperation, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said Tuesday in meeting with French President Francois Hollande.

Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Hollande at the meeting at the UN headquarters, Zhang, who is Xi's special envoy to the UN Climate Change Summit, said Xi's successful visit to France in March has lifted ties between the two countries to a higher level and ushered in a new chapter of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership that is closer and sustainable.

China will also work together with France to lift the level of joint production and research, strengthen bilateral communication and coordination on hot regional and international issues and secure successful celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Zhang said.

Meanwhile, expressing China's readiness to enhance cooperation with France on climate change and support for the 2015 Paris conference, Zhang noted that China will work together with all parties concerned to help secure that the 2015 Paris conference will reach an agreement as scheduled, based on the principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and openness and transparency, broad participation, negotiated consensus and party-driven mode.

France will host a crucial climate conference in December 2015, with the mission of finalizing a new global climate change pact. The just concluded UN Climate Summit is designed to set the stage for the universal climate deal.

For his part, Hollande said he and Xi have visited each other's country within two years, which has effectively promoted France-China relationship.

The two countries should strengthen political dialogue, deepen economic and trade cooperation and advance cultural exchanges, the president added.

Praising China for making great efforts in cutting carbon emissions and setting a good example for the world, Hollande said France is willing to enhance cooperation with China in addressing the climate change so as to promote a sustainable economic development.