BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and French leaders have reached
sweeping consensus on major issues which promote mutual trust and strategic
partnership, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said here Monday.
Liu said during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's meeting with visiting French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, Wen outlined China's position on the Renminbi
exchange rate issue.
Wen said that the establishment of the mechanism for setting the Renminbi
exchange rate, which depends on the supply and demand of the market, is China's
established policy and China will gradually expand the RMB's convertability in
accordance with the principles of initiative, controllability and
progressiveness, according to Liu.
He said Sarkozy expressed appreciation for China's open attitude toward
this issue and both sides agreed to maintain discussions on this issue.
Both sides also touched upon the issue of the trade imbalance between China
and Europe, Liu said.
China hopes to see a trade balance and is willing to strengthen
consultation with major trading partners including France on this issue, Liu
said, adding China is making efforts to reduce the current trade surplus.
Sarkozy, in his meetings with Chinese leaders, said it is unreasonable for
the European Union to maintain the ban on weapon sales to China and he called
for the lifting of the ban, Liu said.
China appreciates Sarkozy's positive position on this issue, the spokesman
said.
Sarkozy also expected China to make more contributions and playa bigger
role in international affairs, Liu said.
Both sides also exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue, Myanmar issue
and human rights issue, he added.
Sarkozy arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his first state visit to China
since taking office in May.