French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier on Monday in Paris stressed the global strategic partnership between China and France.

"Our two countries, permanent members of the (UN) Security Council, have the same concerns to act in considering the world's complexity," he said at a press conference on the conclusion of China Year in France.

He described Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to France in January and French President Jacques Chirac's upcoming visit to Beijing in October this year "a historical event" and "a strong sign showing the solidarity of global strategic partnership between China and France."

The two countries "share the conviction that the future is necessarily to be built on the basis of dialogue and respect for identity in a world of diversity and multi-polarity," the minister said.

Barnier said his government believes it is important to preserve in this world "a diversity of culture and identity".

"That's why we are Europeans," he said, noting "China can sit at this table as a great power."

The minister, while hailing the success of China Year in France, made wishes for the forthcoming France Year in China which is scheduled to start in October.

Source: Xinhua