A seminar on China-France relations sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China was held in Beijing on March 30, 2010.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the seminar, former State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said that China-France relations enjoy a profound strategic, political, economic and cultural basis. Against the background that the current international situation is undergoing the most profound and complex changes after the Cold War, China-France relations should remain stable, strategic and innovative.

Tang said this year will witness a range of high-level visits between China and France and bilateral relations face important opportunities for development. He hoped that both sides would take a long-term perspective, seize the opportunities, strengthen cooperation and continuously inject new impetus into all-round, in-depth development of bilateral ties. He also expressed hope that France would actively push China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership for greater development.

Tang hoped that both sides through the seminar would offer constructive suggestions for the development of China-France relations, provide useful advice to the decision-making departments of the two countries, and enable the public of both sides to enhance mutual understanding.

Former French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine said that the holding of the seminar offers a platform for extensive exchanges between both sides and is conducive for the two countries to comprehensively review the development of bilateral ties and explore future cooperation.

The experts from the two countries conducted frank and in-depth discussions on the direction of the development of China-France relations, key cooperation areas, as well as how to join hands to cope with climate change, the financial crisis and other global issues.