PARIS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The recent high-level contacts between China and France have demonstrated the rapid development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Chinese ambassador to France said on Monday.

　　Kong Quan made the remarks shortly before the visit to France by top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo.

　　FIRST VISIT OVER A DECADE

　　Both countries attach great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with each other and intend to deepen and expand political cooperation, Kong Quan said.

　　"Wu's visit is the first of its kind since the former Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC) Qiao Shi visited France in 1997," he said, adding that the most recent high level contact was the talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Toronto late June between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy.

　　During his visit, Wu will meet with President Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fillon and the leaders of the country's parliament.