CPC official meets French UMP leader

Li Yuanchao (R), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, who is also secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organizational Department of the CPC Central Committee, talks with Jean-Francois Cope, general secretary of French ruling party Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), while meeting with a UMP delegation in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Li Yuanchao, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, pledged on Friday to boost the CPC's cooperation with the French ruling party Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

Li, who is also secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organizational Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark while meeting with UPM General Secretary Jean-Francois Cope in Beijing.

Li praised the UMP for its long-term promotion of China-France relations, referring to the two countries' relationship as "one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world."

The CPC attaches great importance to developing relations with the UMP and is willing to continue conducting exchanges and cooperation with the party, Li said.

He called on both parties to work together to promote the long-term, stable and sound development of bilateral ties, as well as friendship between both nations.

Cope gave high marks to China's developmental achievements, stating that he believes China's experience has been "enlightening" for Western countries.

He said the UMP is ready to further promote dialogues and exchanges with the CPC in order to boost the development of both France-China relations and EU-China relations.