French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal on Tuesday praised China's ability to find a new mode of development.

"China has the ability to find a mode of development that is different from those of developed countries and is helping with other developing countries," Royal said on the final day of her visit to China.

Royal said her trip was aimed at improving the France-China relationship.

France and China should step up cooperation and jointly cope with the challenges imposed by globalization, she said.

French companies could benefit from China's development, she said.

Invited by the Communist Party of China (CPC), Royal arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a four-day tour that included meetings with senior Chinese officials and tours to French companies in Beijing.

Royal met with Vice President Zeng Qinghong, senior legislator He Luli and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan. She also held talks with Head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Wang Jiarui.

Royal won the Socialist candidacy for the 2007 presidential election last November, taking her one step closer to becoming France's first woman president.

Source: Xinhua