Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and State Councilor Yang Jiechi each met with Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French foreign minister and chairman of the China-France High-Level Cultural and People-to-People Exchange Mechanism.

Liu Yandong said that since establishing the China-France high-level cultural and people-to-people exchange mechanism two years ago, the two sides have gained nearly 100 cooperative achievements in education and culture, playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Liu said that China hopes to work with France to expand and deepen cultural exchanges, strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership.

France highly values the upcoming third meeting of the China-France high-level cultural exchanges, said Ayrault, adding that France is willing to work with China to achieve practical results in cultural cooperation.

Yang Jiechi elaborated that the two sides should view and approach their relationship from a strategic position, adhere to the positive direction of bilateral ties, and respect and support each other’s core interests and major concerns.

The two sides should also expand exchanges and cooperation in such fields as trade, technology, nuclear energy and culture, address differences, and ensure a long-term, healthy and stable development of China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.

China hopes French President Francois Hollande will visit China for the G20 Summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou, and China will continue to work closely with France to promote the success of the summit, said Yang. China is willing to continue its efforts to enhance cooperation with France in international affairs, he said.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Beijing on May 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]