On September 16, 2005, Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met with the delegation of the French Senate headed by Speaker of the French Senate Christian Poncelet in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Jia said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between both sides over 40 years ago, both sides have developed increasing close bilateral relations and scored remarkable achievements in exchanges and cooperation in various areas and the comprehensive strategic partnership has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Recent years have witnessed frequent exchange of high-level visits and continuously deepened mutual political trust. The successful exchange of visits between President Hu and President Chirac last year has strongly pushed for the development of bilateral relations. China has always attached great importance to developing economic and trade cooperation with France and would like to work with France to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of energy, aviation, transportation, agriculture, environmental protection and high-tech and push the bilateral economic and trade cooperation for all-round and rapid development.

Jia appreciated France's adherence to the one-China principle and support of China's grand cause of reunification.

Jia said that since the establishment of the relations between the CPPCC of China and the French Senate in 1991, both sides have continuously deepened friendly exchanges and cooperation and contributed to the development of bilateral friendly cooperative relations. China hopes that both sides can take this visit by Senate Speaker as an opportunity to further enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two organizations and make unremitting efforts for reinforced understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Jia made positive remarks on the activities of the Year of Culture held in each other and congratulated on the great success of the Year of French Culture. He said that the activities of the Year of Culture held in each other are a great event in the history of bilateral relations and have not only deepened mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples, but also enriched the connotations of bilateral friendly relations. These activities are also of great significance to promoting world peace and progress of civilizations.

Poncelet noted that in recent years, the bilateral relations have maintained sound momentum of development and the cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, trade and culture has been continuously strengthened. Both sides are the countries of great significance in the world. The French Senate hopes to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the CPPCC of China and further push for the development of bilateral relations. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair and the French government adheres to the one-China principle.

Present at the meeting are Vice Chairman Zhang Siqing of the CPPCC, Secretary-general Zheng Wantong of the CPPCC, Chairman Liu Zhongde of the Subcommittee of Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sport of the CPPCC, French Ambassador to China Philippe Guelluy and other officials.