Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Former French Prime Minister Alan Juppe in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2010. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Monday met with former French prime minister Alain Juppe, pledging to further advance relations between the two nations.
"To promote China-France relations accords with the interests of the two nations and the two peoples," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Juppe, also mayor of the French city Bordeaux, is visiting China on the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
The exchanges and cooperation between Bordeaux and the central Chinese city of Wuhan have developed rapidly since they became sister cities, setting an example for other cities in conducting cooperation at the local level, Wu said.
China is implementing a strategy to boost development in the central region. Wu hoped Bordeaux City would actively join in China's regional development strategies and achieve win-win results from bilateral cooperation.
Juppe said both central and local governments in France attached great importance to promoting relations with China. Bordeaux would expand exchanges and cooperation with Chinese cities to help advance relations between the two countries.
Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Former French Prime Minister Alan Juppe (L) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2010. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)