On the afternoon of April 24, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet at the Great Hall of the People.

Speaking highly of the important contribution Poncelet had made to the Sino-French relationship, Hu said bilateral ties have developed in a comprehensive way since the two first forged diplomatic ties 44 years ago. The two sides have kept frequent exchanges on various levels, with economic and trade cooperation expanding, Hu said, hailing both had maintained close consultation and coordination on multilateral occasions as well as on international and regional issues. China appreciates France's adherence to the one-China policy on Taiwan and Tibet questions, Hu said.

A series of events that were unfriendly to Chinese occurred in France recently, especially the disruption of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Paris. Such events hurt the Chinese people's feelings, Hu said. "These are what we do not want to see," he told Poncelet. Hu said that China has always valued the Sino-French relationship and sticks to the policy of Sino-French friendship, all-round cooperation and common development. Hu stressed China hopes the French side could face squarely the current problems and work with the Chinese side to eliminate disturbance and properly handle the new situation and new problems of the bilateral ties. He called on both sides to make joint efforts to push forward the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Poncelet said history has proved French people nourish deep and special feelings toward Chinese people and the French government cherishes the comprehensive strategic partnership with China. It is the common aspiration of the French government, parliament and people to enhance relations with China, Poncelet told Hu, adding the position has never changed. Poncelet said all the previous and current French governments respected China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, holding that Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China, and the affairs of Taiwan and Tibet belong to China's internal affairs. Poncelet said he felt sad and regretful for the disturbance of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Paris, and expressed again the sincere sympathy of his government to the disabled Chinese torch bearer Jin Jing, who was attacked during the torch relay in Paris. He said the French side fully understood and respected Chinese people's feelings and opposed the linking of sports with politics, expressing his best wishes and support for the Beijing Olympics.

Sang Guowei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and other officials attended the meeting.