China has taken a positive view of the recent efforts made by the French side to improve bilateral relations, Hu said, and hoped the two sides should view bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective to ensure a healthy and stable development.

Noting that China is a strategic partner of France, Sarkozy said his country attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in bilateral, regional and international affairs.

He emphasized that France will firmly adhere to the one-China policy.

The Beijing Olympic Games is a grand event that is of vital significance to the 1.3 billion Chinese people, said Sarkozy, adding that nobody is entitled to imperil the Games.

He said he would attend the Beijing Olympics as the French president and the rotating president of the European Union.

Hu called Sarkozy's decision to attend the Beijing Olympics as a "correct" one and wished the French athletes good performance at the Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2008)