On March 27, 2012, Vice Premier Wang Qishan met in Zhongnanhai with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who is in Beijing to attend the 18th China-France economic seminar.

Wang appreciated Raffarin for being committed to China-France friendly cooperation. He said China and France have maintained good growth momentum of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in recent years. "The two economies complement each other and I hope the two sides could step up their cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, finance, energy, infrastructure, aviation and space and environmental protection," Wang said. The China-France economic seminar is an important platform for businesses of the two countries to conduct exchanges and cooperation. Enterprises are major players in the economic cooperation. Wang said the two governments should help create better conditions for enterprises of the two countries to promote cooperation.

Raffarin said the French business community is ready to enhance cooperation with China in all areas and welcomes Chinese businesses to invest in France.