Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon during a welcoming ceremony Wen holds for Fillon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 21.

Hailing the relations between China and France, both as influential nations, Wen said it had exerted important influence on international political situation and brought great benefits for the two nations and the two peoples.

As currently the world situation was witnessing great development, profound changes and broad adjustment, China-France ties should cement its stability, maintain its comprehensiveness and strengthen its strategic nature, Wen noted.

He said the two sides should take care of each other's core interests and major concerns in an earnest manner, increase mutual political trust, and push forward the bilateral ties to move in the right direction for healthy and stable development.

"We will expand exchanges with France in various levels and increase strategic dialogue and coordination to make unswerving efforts to build a just and reasonable international political and economic order," Wen said.

Fillon said he agreed with Wen's proposals on the development of bilateral ties, which was a unique strategic partnership.

He said the France-China ties had achieved remarkable growth since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1964, with increasing all-dimensional cooperation and growing friendship between the two peoples.

Fillon hoped the two nations should continue their efforts, based on mutual respect and equality, to promote cooperation in nuclear energy, aviation, transport and culture.

France and China should work together to promote dialogue between countries which were different in culture and system, in a bid to achieve a multi-polar world, Fillon said.

Wen and Fillon also exchanged views on China-EU relations.

Wen said China attached great importance to the European Union and always regarded China-EU ties as one of its most important foreign relations.

Wen hoped France would continue playing a positive role in persuading all EU member states into agreements on lifting arms embargo against China and recognizing China's status of full market economy.