Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 17, 2003
Li Changchun Meets French Polynesian Leaders
Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met respectively in Papeete Tuesday with French Polynesian High Commissioner Michel Mathieu and Chairman of the Government Gaston Flosse.
Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met respectively in Papeete Tuesday with French Polynesian High Commissioner Michel Mathieu and Chairman of the Government Gaston Flosse.
In his meeting with Mathieu, Li said China and France cherish their long-term relationship of friendly cooperation and share similar views on many major international issues.
The China-France cultural year, a cultural event that is under preparation, will provide new opportunity for both sides to promote the economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technological cooperation, he said.
He noted that China is fully confident of the healthy and stable relations between the two countries in the new century.
Echoing Li's views, Mathieu said the friendly contacts between the two peoples have been promoted since the "Silk Road."
In recent years, he said, bilateral friendly cooperation has become increasingly closer and he hoped the two sides will furtherstrengthen dialogue and cooperation to make continuous progress inthe new century.
In his meeting with Flosse, Li said that in recent years, the friendly contacts between China and French Polynesia have become closer. Both sides are working to promote the reciprocal cooperation in the sectors of economy, trade and culture and have scored positive results, he added.
He spoke highly of Flosse's contributions to this end, hoping that both sides will continue their concerted efforts to explore new fields of cooperation in an effort to deepen the friendly relations.
Recalling his last October visit to China, Flosse said he is satisfied with the friendly ties between French Polynesia and China and hoped that both sides will further promote exchanges andcooperation in the sectors of economy, trade, tourism and culture.
Li, who arrived in Papeete for a stopover earlier Tuesday after winding up his Argentine visit, will leave Papeete Wednesday for his official goodwill visit to New Zealand, the last leg of his three-nation tour, which also took him to Cuba.