The 1st China-France forum on local governmental
cooperation, aiming to promote bilateral economic cooperation,
opened in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei
Province, on Thursday.
The two-day forum, sponsored by the Chinese
People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
(CPAFFC), has drawn over 500 delegates from China and France.
At the opening ceremony, French Senator M. Jacques
Valade and CPAFFC President Chen Haosu both delivered speeches.
Valade said the forum would give a boost to
communication and cooperation in economy, trade and culture, and
will promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two
peoples.
The participants include leading members from 21
provinces, municipalities and over 30 cities in China and more than
30 governors and 20 mayors or vice mayors from France.
A declaration of China-France local governmental
cooperation is expected to be signed at the end of the event.
Former French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy attended
in the capacity of president of Lille Urban Association.
The 2nd China-France forum on local governmental
cooperation will be held in France.
(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2005)