On March 27, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao met with a delegation headed by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who is in Beijing to attend the 18th China-France economic seminar.

Song pointed out that the current Sino-French relations have maintained good momentum of development. Both sides have kept frequent high-level exchanges, deepening economic and trade cooperation and increasingly active cultural exchanges. China is ready to work with France to promote the continuous development of Sino-French relations at higher levels. Raffarin made ​​positive comments on bilateral relations, saying a stable and strong China is an opportunity to France and the world at large. Developing relations with China is a priority of the French diplomacy.

Song also answered questions related to China's diplomacy, economic and trade cooperation with other countries, investment environment, energy strategy and other issues.