国内英语新闻:China, France enter new era of strategic partnership

French media Friday gave prominence to Hu's visit, saying it would boost bilateral relations and cooperation. The Le Figaro newspaper said Paris was pleased to receive the Chinese president and his visit has turned a new page in bilateral ties.

The website of Le Figaro carried a report on China's support to France for its rotating G20 presidency, saying it is a timely visit ahead of the upcoming G20 summit.

The Les Echos, a French daily, covered in detail the red carpet welcome given by Sarkozy and first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to Hu at the airport.

The agreements signed by the two sides are of great significance, said a report by the paper.

French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said Friday she was satisfied with Hu's state visit, which was very successful in terms of what has been achieved.

Lagarde said the agreements signed between the two sides were satisfactory in terms of both the number and variety.

She is especially glad to see the prospect of cooperation between the two sides in building ecological cities in China, the minister said, adding that France has real experience that can be helpful.

The French enterprises that signed cooperation agreements with their Chinese counterparts agreed that they saw a market of great potential, according to the media reports.

Anne Lauvergeon, chief executive officer of nuclear energy giant Areva, said the agreements marked a new stage in the relationship between Areva and their Chinese partners and that they are of strategic importance in the world's largest nuclear energy market.

Hu's visit has also attracted extensive media attention and won high acclaim at home.

"The stable development of China-France relations conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries," said Shen Xiaoquan, a senior research fellow at the Center for World Affairs Studies of Xinhua News Agency.

In the years ahead, the broad consensus the two sides have built on political ideas, combating climate change and the overhaul of the global financial architecture will continue to play a positive and leading role in international affairs, he said.

Tian Dewen, an expert from the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Science, said Hu's visit to France showed that efforts by both sides proved to be a success.

Tian said that in efforts to build closer bilateral ties, leaders of the two countries need to have a broad mind to seek common ground while shelving differences.

Kong Quan, Chinese ambassador to France, said there will be increased economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides after Hu's visit, and their relations are moving toward a new stage of all-round, healthy and fast development.