Segolene Royal, the presidential candidate of Socialist Party of France, will head a 15-member delegation to visit China from Jan. 6 to 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing Thursday.

China's party and state leaders will meet with the delegation and the two sides will exchange views on party and bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual concern, Liu said.

"We hope the visit would further strengthen dialogue and exchanges between the two countries so as to enhance mutual understanding and push ahead with the all-round strategic partnership," Liu said.

Royal won Socialists' candidate for the 2007 presidential election last November, taking her closer toward becoming France's first female president.

Source: Xinhua