On October 21, 2009, visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met separately with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the French president's diplomatic advisor Jean-David Levitte in Paris. During the meetings, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral ties, as well as the changes in the world today and international and regional issues of common concern in a spirit of listening, communication and discussion.

Meeting with Kouchner

Under the new international circumstances, China and France shoulder a more important responsibility for world peace, development and stability, Dai said. Bilateral relations have greater strategic significance. Dai said the two sides should make serious efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, cement the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership and push for the sustained, sound and steady development of bilateral ties.

Meeting with Levitte

The French side said France always views China as an important strategic partner and believes that China's important role is indispensable in the global fight against the financial crisis and climate change and in meeting other challenges in the world. France is willing to work with China to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and reinforce their strategic coordination and cooperation to jointly promote world peace and development, the French side added.

Talking with experts and scholars

On the same day, Dai held in-depth discussions on a range of major issues facing the world today with part of noted French experts and scholars on international issues.

Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended the above activities.

State Councilor Dai Bingguo arrived in France on October 20 for a visit. On the same day, he met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon. This is his second visit to France since last October.