President Hu holds talks with French president

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Beijing Nov. 26, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) hosts a welcoming ceremony for his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Beijing Nov. 26, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday morning held talks with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, after which 20-odd cooperation documents were signed. The China-France relationship has entered a new stage, with deepening strategic dialogue and political mutual trust, Hu told Sarkozy, adding the two parties have maintained close consultation and coordination on multilateral affairs and key international issues. The Chinese government strongly emphasizes developing friendly relations with France, and always handles the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, Hu said. Sarkozy, on a three-day state visit to China, said that France has noticed the peace initiative in Hu's report to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He said France is opposed to Taiwan independence and that the island's planned referendum on entry into the United Nations was "unjustified". Any unilateral initiative is ineffective and unjustified, especially the planned referendum, the French President said. In his report, Hu for the first time talked about a peace agreement across the Taiwan Strait, calling for discussion of a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides on the basis of the one-China principle. Hu appreciated the French President's contribution towards promoting the traditional friendship between China and France, his adherence to the one-China policy and support for China's peaceful unification. After the talks, the two Presidents agreed to release a joint declaration on combating climate changes, and attended the signing ceremony of over 20 documents on cooperation concerning environmental protection, nuclear energy, civil aviation, communication, education, health care, investment, city planning, etc., and together met with the press. Before the meeting, Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Sarkozy. Sarkozy arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China since taking office in May.

**French President Sarkozy kicks off China visit

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (front L) is greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, Nov. 25, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China since taking office in May, emphasizing close bilateral links. "Our two countries enjoy very close political ties and energetic economic links," the French president told a business forum on Sunday evening. He expressed confidence about future bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, technology and other fields. He said that he appreciated China's constructive role in international affairs, especially its positive contribution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the Darfur issue. The 52-year-old Sarkozy encouraged more French companies to invest in China and explore win-win cooperation with their Chinese counterparts. French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits the Museum of Terracotta Horses and Armored Warriors of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynastry in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 25, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] Sarkozy's arrival in Beijing was preceded by a brief trip to the former imperial capital of Xi'an in northwest China to visit the Terra Cotta (Qin Dynasty) Museum, a world-renowned site. He mixed with local residents and was escorted into the trenches to view the clay soldiers. In the afternoon, Sarkozy, accompanied by a 200-member delegation of government officials, entrepreneurs and journalists, was warmly welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Beijing Capital International Airport. During his stay in China, Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold talks with Sarkozy. China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet with him. Sarkozy also is scheduled to deliver a speech at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University and view Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics. Sarkozy's three-day trip will also take him to the economic powerhouse of Shanghai, where he is scheduled to meet with French entrepreneurs who are doing business there. Prior to his departure from Paris, Sarkozy told Xinhua that he would like to work with Chinese President Hu Jintao on many topics of mutual concern like the environment, economic and trade relations. He said he also wanted to discuss how France and China could make bigger contributions to global security. Sarkozy said China was the first Asian country he has visited since becoming president. He reiterated France's support for the one-China policy. Sarkozy said he attached importance to stronger China-France economic and trade ties, saying mutual benefit and cooperation should be the core of the ties. He said one important task was to encourage enterprises of all sizes from both countries to work together. Sarkozy's trip comes days before high-level talks between China and European Union monetary officials and a China-EU summit that scheduled Wednesday in Beijing.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (front L) is greeted upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing, China, Nov. 25, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] French President Nicolas Sarkozy (4L, Front) and his entourage pose for a group photo with local people at the Museum of Terracotta Horses and Armored Warriors of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynastry in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 25, 2007. [Xinhua Photo] French President Nicolas Sarkozy (1st L) receives a replica of a woman figure of Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) as a present in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 25, 2007. [Xinhua Photo]

*프랑스 대통령, 중국과 수백억 달러 사업계약 체결 (E)
11/26/2007

니콜라 사르코지 프랑스 대통령이 처음으로 중국을 방문하고 있는 가운데, 중국과 프랑스는 26일 3백억 달러에 이르는 비즈니스 협정 두가지를 체결했습니다. 

프랑스의 국영  핵 발전 설비 기업 ‘아레바’는 중국에 핵 원자로 2기를 제공하고 10년간 연료를 제공하기로 합의했습니다.  이번 거래는 약 1백2십억 달러 상당에 이르는 것으로 알려졌습니다.

프랑스에 본사를 둔 에어버스 사 역시 제트기 160대를 중국에 판매하기로 합의했습니다.  이 계약의 규모는 총 1백 5십억 상당에 이르는 것으로 알려졌습니다.

사르코지 대통령은 26일 베이징에서 중국의 후진타오 국가주석을 만난  자리에서 이 같은 계약 체결에 성공했습니다.

사르코지 대통령은 또 기자들에게 중국의 환율을 좀 더 조화롭고 공정하게 하기 위해 유로에 대한 중국  위안화 절상을 강도 높게 요구했습니다.

China signed two major business deals today (Monday) worth nearly 30 billion dollars as French President Nicolas Sarkozy makes his first state visit to the country.

France's state-owned nuclear energy group, Areva, signed a deal to provide China with two nuclear reactors and more than a decade of fuel - an agreement worth nearly 12 billion dollars.

European planemaker Airbus also signed contracts today to sell China 160 jets - a deal worth about 15 billion dollars.

The signing of the hefty contracts come as Mr. Sarkozy met with Chinese President Hu Jintao today in Beijing.

Speaking with reporters after the talks, Mr. Sarkozy urged China to accelerate the appreciation of China's currency against the euro to make currency rates more "harmonious and fair."(미국의 소리)