Parliamentary leaders eye closer China-France ties

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang and French counterpart Claude Bartolone on Monday pledged to elevate bilateral ties, during celebrations of 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Zhang and Bartolone made the remarks at a Beijing reception to celebrate the anniversary, attended by some 200 people from both sides. In his speech, Zhang described the establishment of diplomatic relations with France 50 years ago as a "historic event". The diplomatic ties set a new model for peaceful coexistence between countries with different political systems and had an immense and profound impact on the international situation, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress. On Jan. 27, 1964, the two announced ambassadorial diplomatic ties, which made France the first major western power to set up official diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Recalling the evolution of the bilateral ties since then, Zhang said the China-France relationship has been in the vanguard of the relationship between China and the West, which has proved the strategic and global significance of the ties between the two countries. Zhang said mutual political trust based on mutual respect is the most precious asset for the bilateral ties over the past 50 years. There are new opportunities for the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Zhang said. Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Zhang said China and France should give priority to their strategic partnership, support each other and boost cooperation in pursuit of win-win results between the two countries despite the different political systems and cultural tradition. "We should continue to respect each other, consolidate the strategic trust in each other and boost strategic cooperation to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France in a sustainable way," said the Chinese legislator. Zhang also urged the two sides to deepen and expand practical cooperation to turn the potential for cooperation into the real fruits of cooperation, and increase friendly interactions between the two nations to facilitate the fusion of the eastern and the western civilizations. The two sides should also increase communication and consultation on global issues and international affairs to make the world more harmonious, Zhang said. "As long as we respect and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, keep the spirit of win-win reciprocity, openness, inclusiveness and common development, the China-France relationship will go ahead in an enduring, healthy and stable way," said the Chinese legislator. Bartolone, Speaker of the French National Assembly, said that the establishment of the diplomatic ties was globally influential and showed France's diplomatic tradition featuring independence. Recalling the all-round cooperation between the two countries since 1964, Bartolone said France and China should advance the bilateral relationship with a long-term perspective, step up political dialogue, boost economic ties and increase people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Bartolone arrived in China on Thursday to kick off the celebration of the anniversary