On February 3, 2010, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner in Paris. Both sides reached important consensus on developing China-France relationship.

With joint efforts of both nations, China-France relationship has recently witnessed accelerated development, Yang said. As this year marks an important period for relations between China and France, the two sides should further implement important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to respect and take care of each other's major concerns and promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields, Yang noted. The Chinese minister also expected both countries to jointly oppose trade and investment protectionism, and maintain coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues in a bid to contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity. Yang expressed China's willingness to take the 2010 Shanghai World Expo as an opportunity to enhance cooperation with France in humanities and other fields, and to consolidate the basis of bilateral ties.

Yang pointed out that China and the EU share broad common interests. China always attaches importance to the relations with EU and regards it as an important strategic partner. China is willing to work with the EU including France to stick to the general direction of the steady development of China-EU ties, enrich the strategic connotations of bilateral ties and push China-France and China-EU ties to a new level, Yang added.

Kouchner echoed Yang's views on China-France and China-EU ties, saying France attaches great importance to relations with China. France is satisfied with the friendly cooperation between the two nations as well as the improvement and development of bilateral ties, Kouchner said, adding that France is willing to work with China to push forward China-France and China-EU ties.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on climate change and other international and regional issues of common concern. Following their talks, the two jointly met the press.