Hu proposes more co-op with France on energy, aviation

BEIJING—Chinese President Hu Jintao has proposed greater cooperation with France on nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace as part of a four-point plan for the development of relations between the two countries.
During talks here on Monday morning with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Hu outlined the points in his proposal. The first point in the proposal was intended to deepen bilateral political relations and enhance strategic mutual trust.
The two sides should maintain high-level exchanges and contacts,continue to strengthen important dialogue and consultation mechanism building, and understand and support each other on majorissues concerning each other’s national interests.
The second was to further strengthen multi-lateral cooperation to jointly meet challenges. The Chinese side will conduct strategic dialogue and cooperation with the French side, and strengthen consultation and coordination on global issues and in major international affairs, so as to jointly push forward the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.
The third was to further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The Chinese side will enhance cooperation with the French side in such fields as nuclear energy, civil aviation and aerospace, railways, finance, telecommunications, environmental protection, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The two sides should properly address the concerns of each other in the principles of dialogues on an equal footing, friendly consultations and reciprocity.
The fourth is to further bilateral cultural exchanges. The two sides should continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science, technology, sports and tourism.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China since taking office in May.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced after their talks on Monday the releasing of a China-France joint statement on responding to climate change and the establishment of a partnership between the two countries in this regard.
According to the joint statement, the first of its kind issued between China and another country, China and France both reiterated their commitments to the aims, principles and provisions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.
The two sides will establish a bilateral consultation mechanism and hold consultations once a year in turn in the two countries, to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on climate change, in the principles of Common and Differential Liability, respective capability and equity.
The two sides pledged in the joint statement to strengthen cooperation in the relevant fields, including bio-diversity, water resources, desertification, natural disasters, forests, garbage treatment, pollution prevention and environment-friendly economic measures, and promote the cooperation on the development, extension, application and transfer of technologies. —Xinhua