Officials and entrepreneurs discussed cooperation in energy exploitation and sustainable development at the 12th China-France Economic Forum Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

The Forum, themed on "energy and sustainable development", attracted around 400 government officials and company representatives from the two countries.

"China and France have great potential for cooperation in energy and sustainable development," said Wan Jifei, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

The Forum provides a platform for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, Wan said. As China has rich energy resources and France is experienced in resource exploration and the use of them is ideal for interested parties, he noted.

Valery Giscard d'Estaing, former president of France (1974--1981), said China and France have a wide range of areas where there are opportunities for cooperation in the businesses such as energy and aviation.

China and France have cooperated in nuclear power for more than 20 years and anticipated there would be further joint initiatives in the construction of new nuclear facilities.

The annual economic Forum, which started in 1995, has become an important event in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2005)