The 11th Sino-French Economic Seminar opened in Beijing April 5. Nearly 500 entrepreneurs from China and France will talk about subjects including research of telecommunication, environment, land transportation and management of insurance business.

China hopes to further expand communication and cooperation in technical fields with France. China needs French technology, and France needs the Chinese market. Both countries will be able to achieve mutual development and a win-win situation in technical trade and investment, said Wu Yi, vice premier of China in her speech at the opening ceremony.

The Sino-French trade has kept expanding in recent years. The trade volume topped US$ 17.6 bln in 2004. France has become 2nd largest exporter to China with volume of US$7.7 bln. By the end of 2004 China and France had signed 2,313 technology import contracts with total value of US$ 12.2 bln.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to scientific innovation. It hopes to carry forward scientific advancement and innovation through extensive and in-depth international exchange and cooperation, said Wu.

The French economic circle values developing friendly cooperation with China. Concerned departments and people will hopefully learn more about the high-tech development in the fields of telecommunication, environment and transportation in the two countries, said former French President Giscard d''Estaing.

The two-day seminar will lay emphasis on significance of R&D and scientific innovation in Chinese economic growth and Sino-French economic and trade exchange.

By People's Daily Online