Chinese state councilor meets with French FM

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Friday, pledging to advance the two countries\' ties. During the meeting, Yang said the two sides need to develop China-France relations with a long-term view and maintain the policy of mutual respect, independence and innovation. Fabius said France attaches great importance to developing relations with China under the principle of global multi-polarization. He said France hopes to enhance high-level communication and political dialogue and expand cooperation as well as cultural exchanges with China to comprehensively promote the two countries\' relations. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues.