Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan called for closer economic ties with France when meeting with a French delegation led by President of the Senate Christian Poncelet.

Despite the continuous growth of bilateral trade volume, Zeng said China and France still enjoy great potential in expanding cooperation in view of the economic capacity of the two countries.

He said he hoped that the two countries would improve cooperation in energy resources, aviation and transportation based on the principle of mutual benefit and common development.

He urged the two countries to promote cooperation among medium and small enterprises and further exchanges in the fields of agriculture, environmental protection and high-tech industry

He also voiced the hope that both countries would solve the trade problems properly in a bid to promote the healthy growth of Sino-French friendly relations.

Poncelet hailed the France-China cooperation and urged the two countries to improve understanding of the business sectors so as to widen the scope of bilateral cooperation and upgrade economic and trade cooperation.

The delegation, at the invitation of the CPPCC, arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a friendly visit.

On Friday, Zeng also met with Gerard Kleisterlee, president of the Royal Philips Electronics, and his party.

Source: Xinhua