Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday extended his congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy on his victory in the French presidential election on Sunday.

In a congratulatory message, President Hu said that China and France have witnessed in-depth development in their comprehensive strategic partnership in recent years

And the two sides have made substantial progress in cooperation in areas of politics, economy and trade, science and technology, education and judiciary, and have conducted close coordination on major issues of respective concerns, Hu added.

The Chinese president said that China-France relations have become a fine example of mutual respect and friendly coexistence between countries with different historical backgrounds, cultural traditions as well as countries at different development stages.

Advancing the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but is conducive to world peace, stability and development, he said.

The Chinese president said that under new historical conditions he will work with Sarkozy in accordance with the spirit and principles of key documents such as the China-France Joint Statement, to promote the development of bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and through joint efforts in order to turn a new page for China-France friendly relations and all-round cooperation.

Source: Xinhua