国内英语新闻:Senior CPC leader pledges to further ties with France

BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) vowed Thursday to enhance mutual political trust with France.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the pledge during his meeting with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and General Secretary of the Union for a Popular Movement (UPM) Jean-Francois Cope in Beijing.

Li recalled Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to France last month, saying it indicates Chinese-French relations have reached a new high.

Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 2, 2010.

As permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations and members of the Group of 20, China and France share common interests and bright prospects for cooperation, he said.

Li applauded the close contact between the CPC and UPM, saying the CPC will bolster exchange with UPM, especially between young politicians.

The French guests hailed French-Chinese ties and cooperation and pledged to work for closer cooperation and exchange.