French President Jacques Chirac arrived in Beijing Saturday afternoon to continue his five-day state visit to China as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

President Chirac's China visit is sure to boost Sino-French all-round strategic partnership, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said Saturday in Chengdu during his meeting with President Chirac.

Zeng said Sino-French ties had maintained a good momentum for development with joint efforts of leaders of both nations, and the close political relations effectively promoted bilateral cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, culture, technology and education.

Zeng thanked Chirac's vigorous support for the Year of China held in France in 2003, saying that the Chinese side would also spare no effort to coordinate the French side in running the Year of France in China that is due to officially open on Sunday.

Chirac said he visited Sichuan province as the first French president in response to President Hu Jintao's introduction on western China development strategy made during Hu's visit to France.

Chirac spoke highly of sound French-Chinese cooperation in such spheres as politics, economy and culture, saying that bilateral relations were bound to be further developed.

Chirac started his China tour from Friday evening at Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong received him and his party at the Shuangliu International Airport of Chengdu.

Besides Chengdu and Beijing, Chirac will also visit Shanghai and Hong Kong. He will attend the opening ceremony of the French Culture Year during his China tour.

By People's Daily Online