Beijing - France and China are interested in expanding their cooperation to win markets in Africa or Asia, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Friday as he confirmed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Paris.
"It is taken for granted that (Li) will travel to Paris and Toulouse at the end of June, start of July," the French minister said during his 10th visit to China.
Fabius met Li in Beijing Friday in the Zhongnanhai government enclave, near the Forbidden City, to discuss topics for the Chinese leader's trip.
It would in particular include "the development of joint projects in third markets, be they Asian or African markets," said Fabius.
China faces serious industrial overcapacity and slowing domestic demand, which are pushing its companies to expand their markets.
It could benefit from the expertise of French groups in markets where they are long-established.
The two countries also intend to strengthen cooperation in "food, health, services, finance," the minister said.
AFP
