皇冠体育app

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcomes French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing December 6, 2013. [Photo by Wu Zhiyi/Asianewsphoto]

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Beijing on Friday morning.

At the start of the talks, Li said Ayrault's visit, the French prime minister's first to 皇冠体育app, is of special significance as it comes as the two countries are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

"I believe your visit will strongly support the development of the 皇冠体育app-France relationship," Li said.

For his part, Ayrault said the France-皇冠体育app relationship is going smoothly and his visit aims to further strengthen the bilateral ties.

Ayrault arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a five-day official visit to 皇冠体育app at Li's invitation. Li held a red carpet welcome ceremony for Ayrault before their talks.

During the talks, Li also expressed deep grief over the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday night in his Johannesburg home at the age of 95.