On September 21, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in New York. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties, as well as other major international and regional issues of common concern.

Hu said his meeting with Sarkozy during the G20 summit in London in April helped bring the China-France relationship back on the track of healthy development, and good momentum has appeared recently in relations between the two countries, marked by increased high-level exchanges and a resumption of practical cooperation in a variety of fields. All of that helped to build mutual political trust and boost coordination and cooperation between China and France in various areas, the Chinese president said.

China attaches great importance to its relations with France, and maintaining and developing a good China-France relationship is not only conducive to the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, but also to world peace, stability and prosperity, Hu said. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China is ready to work with the French side to review the historical experience of bilateral relations, stick to the right course in developing the ties and promote a healthy and steady development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

For his part, Sarkozy said he was pleased to see the rapid development of bilateral ties, and believed the France-China relationship was progressing smoothly. Sarkozy stressed that the French-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership was important to France, and that the French side was willing to join hands with the Chinese side to build a bright future for their bilateral relations. Sarkozy said that France would actively participate in the Shanghai Expo and wished the Expo a success.

Hu said with the financial rescue measures and economic stimulus policies adopted in a number of countries, some positive changes have taken place in the world economy recently. China has undertaken a package of measures to tackle the global financial crisis, which have produced remarkable results. In the new phase, China will continue to pursue the proactive fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy, focus on the expansion of domestic demand, especially of resident consumption, accelerate the adjustment and reinvigoration of key industries and improve capacity for independent innovation and people's livelihood. Meanwhile, China will pay close attention to the changes in the economic situation at home and abroad and actively prepare new countermeasures. China is confident of overcoming the difficulties to facilitate the steady and rapid growth of the Chinese economy. With the Chinese economy beginning to stabilize and recover, there will be more opportunities and more room for economic and trade cooperation between China and France, he said.

Sarkozy said China has made important contributions to global economic growth, and has honored all the commitments it made at the G20 summit in London. China is an important force in promoting the world economic recovery and development, he added.

On the issue of climate change, Hu said the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference is an important meeting, and China wishes the meeting a success. It is crucial to follow the following four principles. First, adhere to the main programs of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol; second, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities; third, adhere to the addressing of climate change within the framework of sustainable development. Equal emphasis should be placed on both deceleration and adaptation; fourth, adhere to the principle of being mutually beneficial, pragmatic and effective. Efforts should be taken to push all parties to reach consensus on financial and technological cooperation. Financial support to developing countries should be increased and effective mechanisms for technology transfer and dissemination should be established.

The president said China has adopted policies and measures to deal with climate change with a responsible attitude to itself and the world. It also has formulated and carried out a national plan in that regard, and has scored preliminary achievements in energy-saving and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he said. China is ready to continue contributing to efforts against climate change, and to play a positive and constructive role in ensuring that the Copenhagen conference is a success, he added.

Sarkozy said that China will play a crucial role at the Copenhagen conference, and France hails China's measures against climate change. France is willing to work with China to ensure that the conference is a success, he said.

Hu and Sarkozy also exchanged views on reforming the international monetary system and other issues.

Wang Qishan, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the meeting.