On October 25, 2008, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met at the Great Hall of the People with Jean-David Levitte, a diplomatic adviser of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is accompanying the French President for the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Both sides exchanged views on issues including China-France, China-Europe relations, as well as the global financial crisis in a candid, in-depth manner.