Chirac hopes China visit to promote Sino-French partnership

French President Jacques Chirac has expressed the hope that his upcoming visit to China would further boost the Sino-French partnership so as to benefit the two peoples.

"Our partnership is built on a shared view of the world, which is multipolar, respectful to international law and solidary," said Chirac in a written interview on the eve of his visit beginning Friday.

Chirac said the declaration signed during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to France last January showed "our common will to reinforce our political dialogue and build special ties in the fields of economy, industry and science and technology."

He hailed the all-around Sino-French strategic partnership initiated by him and China's former President Jiang Zemin in 1997.

"In the past seven years, the two countries have built an exemplary strategic partnership ... We have made steady progress on the path of mutual trust and mutual respect," said Chirac.

The shared belief in multilateralism has made the two countries hold similar positions on major international issues, Chirac noted.

"China and France hope to work for the world's economic development that is more balanced, more respectful to the people and environment," Chirac said, adding that both countries are committed to the fight against hunger, poverty and epidemics.

The declaration signed last January also stressed the resolve of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, aeronautics and road transport, which are vital to China's economic development, said Chirac.

"The balanced development of the Sino-French partnership is based on joint ventures and large-scale technology transfers," Chirac said. He added that the French government and companies are highly mobilized.

About 50 French business leaders, including those from 17 small and medium-sized companies, will accompany Chirac on his visit from Oct. 8 to 12.

Chirac's visit is to coincide with the start of the Year of France in China, during which more than 200 activities will be held to help the Chinese better know France and its culture.

The activities, including film festivals, photo exhibitions and concerts, will help the Chinese discover "a real France," said Chirac.

Chirac also hoped that the Year of France will blossom in the spirit of innovation, creation and festivity and present the essence of French culture to the Chinese.

"My first message (to the Chinese people) is a message of esteem, trust and friendship and these sentiments have linked our two peoples for centuries," said Chirac.

Thanks to the sentiments, the Year of China in France was a great success, Chirac said. He expressed the confidence that these feelings would make the Year of France in China another success.

The French president noted that his country highly values cultural diversity and pluralism in international politics.

As the world is more globalized and interdependence and interaction between countries increase, only dialogue between different cultures, consultations and emphasis on a civil society can ensure the stability of the world.

Noting that cultural exchanges between the two countries will improve political and cultural ties, Chirac said they will also have impacts on their economy and trade.

"Great changes have taken place in China in the past two decades and China's transforming economy has brought prosperity to its people," noted Chirac.

During the Year of France in China, the two countries will launch joint projects in science and technology, such as those sponsored by the Chinese-French Technology Institute of Tongji University and Pasteur Institute of Shanghai, said Chirac.

Chirac wished that French companies would take advantage of the Year of France to look for business partners in China and beef up economic cooperation.

Chirac will go to Chengdu in Southwest China on Friday to kick off his four-day visit to China. He will visit Beijing on Saturday and Sunday and wrap up his trip Tuesday in Hong Kong after staying in Shanghai on Monday.

Chirac, who was elected president in 1995, visited China in 1997 and 2000.