Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (R) shakes hands with Segolene Royal, leader of the French Socialist Party, in Beijing, on Jan. 8, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Yao Dawei)

    BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met here on Monday with Segolene Royal, head of the French Socialist Party.

    Zeng said China attaches great importance to the Sino-French relations.

    "China is willing to make joint efforts with people from all circles in France to maintain bilateral exchanges at all levels and continuously expand cooperation in the fields of economics and trade, science and technology and culture, to promote the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries," Zeng said.

    Noting that the relations between China and France have developed in depth and in an all-round way, Zeng said the two sides have enhanced mutual political trust and strategic cooperation and kept close contacts and coordination on major international issues.

    Zeng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the CPC is ready to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with the French Socialist Party on the basis of four principles regarding inter-party exchanges, to make new contribution to the overall development of China-France relations.

    Royal said China's rapid and harmonious development means an important opportunity for both France and Europe and also constitutes an important contribution to realizing a peaceful and harmonious world.

    "The French Socialist Party hopes to deepen exchanges with the CPC and strengthen exchanges between the youth of the two countries, to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between France and China," she said.

    Royal started her four-day China visit on Saturday.