On the morning of October 10, 2004, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China met at the Great Hall of the People with French President Jacques Chirac who is paying a state visit to China.

Wu highly complimented the major achievements of friendly cooperation in various fields between the two countries over years. He pointed out that bilateral political trust has been further increased and economic and trade cooperation witnessed long-term development. He noted that the Chinese Cultural Year in France and the French Cultural Year in China will surely push forward the China-France ties. He reiterated that China's new leadership of the central government attaches great importance to developing all-round partnership with France and is willing to work jointly with the French side to deepen strategic dialogue, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, expand cultural exchanges at various levels and constantly push China-France ties to new levels.

Wu said that to enhance exchange and cooperation of the legislatures of the two countries is a major component of the all-round strategic partnership between China and France and an important channel to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples and promote friendly cooperation. The NPC of China is willing to maintain close contact and deepen mutual understanding with the French Parliament, various special committees and friendship groups and jointly explore new areas and ways of bilateral cooperation, which will also help continuously consolidate and expand the social basis of China-France friendly cooperation.

Chirac shared his impression of his China tour with Wu Bangguo, stressing that his talks with Chinese leaders cover a wide range of issues and major consensus has been reached, which will surely be demonstrated fully in the future friendly cooperation between the two countries. He noted that he fully agrees with the comments and suggestions of Wu Bangguo on the development of bilateral ties and exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries. He particularly emphasized that the chairpersons of the France-China Friendship Group of both the upper and lower houses of the French Parliament have accompanied him on the visit, fully indicating the importance which the members of French Parliament attach to China and their strong wish to further strengthen exchanges with their counterparts in China.