'Emergence'of nation seen as an opportunity

President Xi Jinping's three-day visit to France this week will create a significant opportunity for leaders from Beijing and Paris to strengthen ties and rebalance economic relations, a senior French diplomat said.

Martine Aubry, the French Foreign Ministry's special representative for the partnership with China, said Xi and French President Francois Hollande are expected to expand political dialogue, advance economic ties and encourage more cultural exchanges.

She said mutual trust is vital for France and China to strengthen bilateral relations. Xi began his state visit to France on Tuesday after attending the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague.