François Hollande calls for closer ties with China

French president-elect François Hollande on Monday vowed to further the Sino-French exchange and cooperation in a meeting with Kong Quan, the Chinese Ambassador to France.Hollande said France recognizes China’s important influence over international politics and economy, and would like to see continuous development in a friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.Talking to Kong in Paris before meeting other ambassadors, the president-elect said France and China should continue to strengthen coordination and collaboration in G20 and other international andregional hot issues.Meanwhile, France wish to push forward economic and trade cooperation, and expand mutual investment, Hollande said.The president-elect received a congratulatory message from Chinese President Hu Jintao and asked the ambassador to pass on his gratitude and respect to Hu.The long-time friendship and cooperation between China and France conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their citizens and also is significant in safeguarding and promoting global peace, stability and development, Hu said in his congratulatory message.The Socialist, who beat the incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday’s second round runoff with 51.6 percent of the votes, will become the second left-wing president of the French Fifth Republic.