French Defense Minister in Beijing

Michele Alliot-Marie, French Defense Minister, was in Beijing for a two-day visit, on the last leg of her northeast Asian tour.

Alliot-Marie met with Chinese President Hu Jintao, who vowed to strengthen strategic dialogue and political trust with France, thus bringing the partnership between the two countries to a new level. Hu also praised bilateral military relations and expressed regard for France's adherence to the one-China policy.

According to Xinhua, Hu emphasized that as important and influential countries in the world, China and France held "similar or identical views on some major international issues, share extensive common interests and shoulder common responsibility."

For her part, Alliot-Marie said that France appreciated China's positive role in international affairs, adding that the two countries have carried out strategic dialogue in various fields, including defense. She also voiced her support for lifting the EU arms embargo on China, saying it was "nothing but a political and psychological thing."