Chinese commerce minister meets French entrepreneurs

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-17 14:13

PARIS -- China will continue its policy of opening up and actively participate in multilateral trade mechanisms, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Mingde said here Thursday at a meeting with French entrepreneurs.

Chen, who is here to attend the 18th session of the China-France Economic and Trade Mixed Commission scheduled for Friday, told French officials and entrepreneurs that China will create more favorable conditions for foreign entrepreneurs to conduct economic cooperation with China

Chen said economic and trade cooperation has already become a major part in the promotion of the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries.

He hoped efforts could be intensified to boost communication and cooperation between business communities on the two sides, adding that bilateral economic ties should also be strengthened and the good momentum of Sino-French ties be consolidated.

Chen said China has taken effective measures to maintain stable economic growth amid recent financial crisis.

Despite certain difficulties and challenges, the fundamentals of the Chinese economy are sound, and China has been improving its legal system and taking practical steps to protect the lawful interests of foreign investors, Chen said.

According to Chen, the two-way trade between China and France reached 25.6 billion US dollars by the end of August this year, and is expected to top 40 billion dollars at the year end.