French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China since taking office in May and is warmly welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Beijing Capital International Airport. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China since taking office in May, emphasizing close bilateral links.

    "Our two countries enjoy very close political ties and energetic economic links," the French president told a business forum on Sunday evening.

    He expressed confidence about future bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, technology and other fields.

    He said that he appreciated China's constructive role in international affairs, especially its positive contribution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the Darfur issue.

    The 52-year-old Sarkozy encouraged more French companies to invest in China and explore win-win cooperation with their Chinese counterparts.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits the Museum of Terracotta Horses and Armored Warriors of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynastry in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 25, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Sarkozy's arrival in Beijing was preceded by a brief trip to the former imperial capital of Xi'an in northwest China to visit the Terra Cotta (Qin Dynasty) Museum, a world-renowned site. He mixed with local residents and was escorted into the trenches to view the clay soldiers.

    In the afternoon, Sarkozy, accompanied by a 200-member delegation of government officials, entrepreneurs and journalists, was warmly welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

    During his stay in China, Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold talks with Sarkozy. China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet with him.

    Sarkozy also is scheduled to deliver a speech at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University and view Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics.

    Sarkozy's three-day trip will also take him to the economic powerhouse of Shanghai, where he is scheduled to meet with French entrepreneurs who are doing business there.

    Prior to his departure from Paris, Sarkozy told Xinhua that he would like to work with Chinese President Hu Jintao on many topics of mutual concern like the environment, economic and trade relations.

    He said he also wanted to discuss how France and China could make bigger contributions to global security.

    Sarkozy said China was the first Asian country he has visited since becoming president. He reiterated France's support for the one-China policy.

    Sarkozy said he attached importance to stronger China-France economic and trade ties, saying mutual benefit and cooperation should be the core of the ties.

    He said one important task was to encourage enterprises of all sizes from both countries to work together.

    Sarkozy's trip comes days before high-level talks between China and European Union monetary officials and a China-EU summit that scheduled Wednesday in Beijing.

Interview: Sarkozy hopes to further promote China-France, China-EU ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Heiligendamm, Germany, June 8, 2007. (Xinhua File Photo/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    PARIS, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in an interview with Xinhua Friday, called for the strengthening of China-France and China-European Union (EU) ties in addition to commenting on international issues. Full story

Interview: Ambassador says French president's China visit to open new chapter in ties

    PARIS, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to China, scheduled to start Sunday, will lay a more solid foundation for bilateral ties and open a new chapter in the China-France strategic partnership, China's envoy to the European country said.

    Sarkozy's upcoming visit breaks a French tradition in which a president visits China at least two years after he takes office, highlighting the emphasis he puts on France-China relations, Chinese Ambassador to France Zhao Jinjun told Xinhua. Full story

French President Nicolas Sarkozy to visit China

    BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will pay a state visit to China on Nov. 25-27 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced here Thursday. Full story 

[1] [2] [3] [4]