Chinese, French councilors discuss cooperation, growth

China sees France as a preferential and special strategic partner, and hopes to work with France to obtain healthy, steady and fast growth in the relationship, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said as he met Jacques Audibert, diplomatic councilor of the French president.

He made the remarks during the China-France strategic dialogue held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Both countries should respect each other and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, and should conduct pragmatic cooperation by tapping into fields such as aviation, energy, finance and sustainable development, he said.

The two countries should also strengthen their cooperation in multilateral places such as the United Nations and build a new type of international relationship based on reciprocity, Yang said.

Also, China values France's role as the host country of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Paris in November. China hopes to work with France to help the conference come to a comprehensive, balanced and potent new agreement following the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, fairness and in accordance to capabilities of different countries, he added.

France looks forward to working with China for a successful climate change conference, said Audibert.

French President Francois Hollande values the relationship between the two countries greatly, and the One Belt One Road Initiative proposed by China has brought opportunities for furthering bilateral cooperation, he said.