Chinese and French leaders meet ahead of G20 summit

 　　CANNES, France, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met here Wednesday his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy on bilateral 1 ties and other issues of common concern, including the Group of 20 summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

　　Hu pointed 2 out that since the global economic recovery is now burdened by quite a few instable and uncertain factors, the international community has great expectations of the G20 Summit in Cannes.
　　"The Chinese side actively 3 supports the French side to host the summit," Hu said, emphasizing that the G20 should continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation and send a clear and definite signal of securing growth and promoting stability to the international community through this summit.
　　Hu expressed the hope that all relevant parties should jointly 4 endeavor to make the Cannes summit a conference of solidarity 5 and win-win cooperation.
　　Sarkozy expressed his appreciation 6 of the effort China has made to prepare for the G20 summit. He said the French side was ready to strengthen coordination 7 and cooperation with the Chinese side and work with all other parties to push for positive results at the summit.
　　Hu said Europe is the largest economy in the world, and there will be no global economic recovery without a recovery of the European economy.
　　He pointed out that the package deal that the European Union (EU) struck lately demonstrates its will and determination to resolve Europe's debt problem. He hoped that the implementation 8 of the package deal would help overcome the difficulties facing Europe and be conducive 9 to the recovery and growth of the European economy.
　　"It is mainly up to Europe to resolve the European debt problem," Hu said.
　　"We believe that Europe has all the wisdom and capability 10 to resolve the debt problem," he added.
　　Sarkozy said Europe is committed to resolving the debt crisis by making its own effort and strengthening cooperation with the international community. Hu said China wants to see Europe prosper 11.
　　Noting that it was the third time for him to meet Sarkozy so far this year, Hu said the two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral links, world economic situation, G20 affairs and major international issues and reached many important consensuses 12.
　　The development of China-France relations has maintained good momentum 13 recently. President Hu paid a state visit to France in November last year and met Sarkozy in March and August this year when the French president visited China.
　　Hu said China places importance on developing its relations with France and the EU. He also thanked Sarkozy for France's meticulous 14 preparation for the G20 summit and its hospitality to global leaders.
　　France values China's role and appreciates its focus on major international issues, Sarkozy said, adding that his country is willing to maintain close communication and consultation 15 with China.