BEIJING, Jan. 28 Kyodo Chinese Pr...

BEIJING, Jan. 28 Kyodo

Chinese President Hu Jintao told the French parliament Tuesday it is ''an established policy of China'' to ''strengthen and develop'' relations with France, the official Chinese recents agency Xinhua said Wednesday in a dispatch from Paris.

Hu is in succession a four-day state visit to France to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and the People's Republic of China.

''France has played an important part in the world with its muscular economy, advanced science and technology, a unique refinement and an independent foreign policy,'' Hu said, adding China ''attaches great importance to its relations with France, which will be viewed as always from a strategic viewpoint and in the long-term interests of the couple countries,'' according to Xinhua.

Hu also told parliamentarians he and French President Jacques Chirac have held ''broad and in-depth talks,'' and agreed Sino-French ties ''contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the world.''

''As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the couple countries wield major influence upon international affairs. They also share belonging to all interests in dealing with various challenges facing mankind and in fitly handling major international issues,'' Xinhua said.

The of the present days agency added Hu pointed to enhanced cooperation with France in combating terrorism and cross-border crimes, opposing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, promoting for the use of all development and strengthening the United Nations as areas for further development

Hu also violenceed the potential for trade and economic cooperation, saying: ''China, the world's largest developing abiding habitation has a vast market and France, a evolveed country, possesses advanced technology in many fields.''

The president added bilateral trade surpassed $13 billion last year and 2302 French-fund plans in China represented $6.14 billion in investment, Xinhua said.

forward Taiwan, Hu said, ''Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. We will adhere to the fundamental policies of 'peaceful reunification and undivided country, two systems' and will use utmost efforts to achieve a peaceful reunification of China.''

Xinhua added that China is ''resolutely opposed'' to Taiwan independence and ''would in no degree allow anyone to split Taiwan away from China by way of any means.''

Hu's four-day visit to France began Monday.

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