Chinese President Hu Jintao left France for Egypt Thursday after a three-day state visit to the country.  

President Hu, who arrived in Paris on Monday, had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international issues with French President Jacques Chirac and other French officials and made extensive contacts with figures from various social groups.

During his stay in France, Hu delivered a speech at the French National Assembly (parliament) and signed a joint declaration with President Chirac, pledging to deepen the comprehensive and strategic partnership between China and France and make joint efforts to strengthen the multilateral system and safeguard collective security in the world.

Gilles de Robien, French minister for capital works, transportation, housing, tourism and maritime affairs, was joined by Chinese diplomats and representatives of Chinese ventures and overseas Chinese in France at the airport to bid farewell to President Hu.

Hu's visit, which coincided with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France and the Chinese Culture Year activities in France, will serve to further promote China-France ties in an all-around way.

Before leaving France, President Hu paid a brief visit to European aircraft maker Airbus in the southwestern city of Toulouse. Hu was accompanied in the visit by French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

President Hu is expected to stay in Egypt for four days. Egypt is the second leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Gabon and Algeria.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2004)