First, the two countries should strengthen mutual respect and strategic mutual trust. Both sides should continuously deepen mutual understanding by carrying out high-level visits and exchanges between governments, legislatures, political parties and regions.

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]

Hu said the two countries should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, promote cooperation in various fields and properly handle their differences in order to push forward the steady development of bilateral ties.

Second, both sides should advance with the times and be creative in practical cooperation. China and France should expand their trade and try to double the trade volume by 2015. Efforts should be made to encourage mutual investment and to create favorable conditions accordingly, said Hu.

The two countries should also promote cooperation in nuclear energy and aviation. They should tap potentials for cooperation in energy efficiency and environmental protection, new energy resources, new materials, electric cars, information and telecommunications, high-end product manufacturing and finance, he said.

Third, both sides should enhance human-related exchanges by giving full play to each other's advantages. The two sides should continue to encourage cultural institutions to take part in each other's cultural activities, support long-term and stable cooperation between the Palace Museum of China and Le Louvre museum of France. The two countries could also strengthen exchanges and cooperation in film making and journalism, said Hu.

The two sides should increase the number of students studying in each other's countries, develop partnerships between the two countries' institutions of higher learning and schools, promote each other's languages, and strengthen exchanges among youths to bring new life into exchanges among young people between China and Europe.

Finally, the two sides should enhance coordination and work together to deal with challenges.

The Chinese side is willing to keep close communication and coordination with the French side on global issues, such as the reform of the global economic governance mechanism and climate change, and on international and regional hotspot issues.