French President Jacques Chirac told visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Friday night that he wishes the "French Culture Year in China" could be as successful as the "Chinese Culture Year in France."

Chirac will visit China in autumn to mark the opening of the "French Culture Year in China," nine months after Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to France.

Chirac said Hu's visit to France, which was on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China, was important and successful.

The "Chinese Culture Year," which began last October, was wonderful, and warmly welcomed by the French people, he added.

The preparation of the "French Culture Year" is going well, Chirac said, expecting it could be as successful as the "Chinese Culture Year."

The two countries are making lots of achievements in cooperation in the fields of nuclear, transportation and aviation, and there are still great potential to be tapped, he said.

Chirac underlined that France is willing to cooperate with China in economic development, and to strengthen bilateral ties with China.

He also briefed Zeng on the just-concluded G8 summit, saying that he believes that going forward with economic development, China will play a more important role in the international arena.

Expressing his condolences over the latest tragedy in Afghanistan, in which 11 Chinese construction workers were shot dead, Chirac said he was shocked by the incident.

The Chinese official said China attaches great importance to its relations with France, and is willing to make joint efforts with France in all fields to promote the Sino-French comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Chinese people are looking forward to Chirac's visit to China to mark the opening of the "French Culture Year," said Zeng.

He believed that Chirac's visit will further boost bilateral ties.