Villepin calls for closer cooperation

France is keen to support the globalization strategies of Chinese companies in Africa with its well-established financial services and commercial networks, said former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin.

While most Chinese companies in Africa concentrate on English-speaking regions and compete with Indian, European and the United States companies for market share, Villepin called for a different approach.

"Chinese companies can focus on Francophone countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon or Algeria where international competition is not that tough," he said.