French President Nicolas Sarkozy has met with hundreds of Chinese representatives to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival during a reception at the Elysee Palace.

At the reception,the president wished happy new year to around 800 Asian attendees.

Nicolas Sarkozy said, "I am glad to invite everyone to co-celebrate the lunar New Year, or the year of the tiger at the Elysee."

This year, Sarkozy will attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo in China.

At the reception, he also extended his best wishes to the World Expo.

Nicolas Sarkozy said, "I am sure that the Shanghai World Expo will be as successful as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games impressed me very much, and I admire the excellent ability of Chinese people for holding world-class events."

It is the first celebration of the Chinese lunar New Year at the presidential palace since Sarkozy took office in 2007.

Some observers say it sends several positive signals, including recognition of China's rising profile on the world stage, stronger China-France relations and the integration of Chinese nationals into French mainstream society.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (2nd R) and Prime Minister Francois Fillon (1st R) shake hands with delegates at a ceremony celebrating the Chinese New Year, the year of Tiger, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, capital of France, Feb. 16, 2010. [Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua]