STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN THREE AREAS
Focused on expanding cooperation and promoting a healthy and sustainable development of the Sino-French comprehensive strategic partnership, Wu's visit will enhance mutual understanding and political trust and expand cooperation in three areas, Kong said.
First is the cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies.With the Speaker of French National Assembly Bernard Accoyer's visit to the Shanghai World Expo in June, Wu's tour marks the exchange visit of the two nation's chief legislators within a month, Kong said.
He also said the first meeting of Sino-French Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, a high-level platform for parliamentary cooperation, would be held during the visit.
Second, economic and trade cooperation will be highlighted. China's ministry of commerce and French economic ministry will launch a business forum in Paris grouping at least 200 French and Chinese senior officials and business leaders, Kong said.
Wu is expected to give a keynote speech at the forum, which Accoyer will also attend.
The total trade volume of the two countries has increased by 40 percent over the first five months of this year, reaching 17.2 billion U.S. dollars, he added.
Intensified regional cooperation will be the third area as Wu's visit will also cover several central and southern French cities, the ambassador said.
Wu will go to Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseilles, where he will exchange views with local parliament and government leaders and visit some leading French companies in manufacture, agriculture and medicine.
