The two sides agreed to maintain close cooperation and strengthen partnership in environment protection, sustainable development and climate change. Both hoped that the countries could reach agreements at the upcoming U.N. Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R front) shakes hands with French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L front) in Paris, France, Nov. 4, 2010. Hu Jintao held talks with Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Thursday. [Lan Hongguang/Xinhua]

Both sides consider that their cooperation in Africa is conducive to the development of Africa's economy, and support their enterprises in conducting cooperation in Africa.

China attaches great importance to its ties with the EU in the fields of politics, economy and culture, and is ready to continue to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe.

France, for its part, is ready to play a leading role in continuing to promote the development of China-EU ties.

Both countries agree that the EU should lift arms embargo on China and recognize China's full market economy status at the earliest date possible.

The two sides pledged to continue high-level exchanges, and hold intensive strategic dialogue to promote mutual understanding and strategic trust, and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The two sides agreed to attach great importance to bilateral ties, saying they are ready to work together to boost greater development of their comprehensive strategic partnership in a long term and on the basis of mutual respect of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and their fundamental interests.

Surging trade

The two sides reiterated their readiness to build closer, sustainable and innovative trade ties under the guidance of the principles of mutual benefit, win-win and joint development.

Cooperation in nuclear power, space and aviation and railway constitutes an important part of bilateral cooperation.

The two sides are willing to build on 30 years of successful bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy, promote fulfillment of existing cooperation projects and expand cooperation to cover joint projects in third-party markets, the statement said.