Chirac: Sino-French cooperation serves world

cctv.com 10-12-2004 09:59

French President Jacques Chirac has arrived in Shanghai on the third leg of his five-day state visit to China. In a speech at Tongji University, he took time out to hail Sino-French ties, promising students better opportunities to study in his country.

Speaking to an audience of more than 400 students, Chirac said France and China share a desire for a just and peaceful world, stable economic development and a good standard of living for their people.

He said his government is willing to enhance dialogue between the two countries.

Chirac also noted many Chinese students long for the opportunity to study in France but the number of visas available - 7 to 8,000 each year -is too small.

He said France is willing to provide opportunities for outstanding Chinese students to study abroad.

On the same day Chirac attended the foundation-laying ceremonies of a France-China science and technology center and a research institute in Tongji.

Chirac said the France-China cooperative projects have reached the highest level in terms of human genome research, superconductor materials, information technology and applied mathematics.

Chirac's visit to Shanghai follows stops in Chengdu and Beijing.

Editor:Xiang  Source:CCTV.com