BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili has called for closer cooperation with France in the training of innovative talents.

    In a meeting with French Minister for Education and Research Gilles de Robien Friday, Chen said she hoped the two countries would strengthen the joint training of innovative talents through international cooperation and personnel exchanges between the universities of both sides.

    Chen, former Chinese Minister of Education, noted that China and France have had good relations in politics, economy, culture and education and she hoped the two sides strengthen cooperation and exchanges in various fields, especially in education, science and technology.

    De Robien was invited by the Chinese Ministry of Education. He had held talks with his Chinese counterpart Zhou Ji on Thursday.

    In his meeting with Chen, de Robien said France and China have conduct very good cooperation in education and sci-tech fields and that the potential for further cooperation is great.

    He said he hoped the two countries would further enhance cooperation in exchanges of youth, students and teaching of French and Chinese.