French President Jacques Chirac will visit China from Oct. 8 to Oct. 12, Chirac's office announced Tuesday.  

This visit focusing on economy will be a major step in the reinforcement of French-Chinese ties, the French presidential Elysée Palace added.

"France in fields of technology, science and industry holds all the winning cards in this market that shows some prospects of exceptional growth," said the Elysée, adding that it was a major stake for both French economy and employment that are in the center of Chirac's concerns.

The aeronautics, transport and energy are structuring sectors of the industrial relationship between France and China, said the Elysée.

"France also has a card to play in health, environment and communication sectors as well as service and infrastructure sectors, especially for the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 World Exhibition," it said.

During the meeting with the leaders of some 20 French enterprises taking part in the Committee of Honor of the French Year in China, the French president noted the importance to further comes along with France' small and middle companies in their development in the Chinese market where they are not yet well known enough.

The French Year in China, which is expected to start from Oct. 10 after the Chinese Year in France, will let France to be seen unparalleledly in China during 10 months, said the Elysée.

"Politically, France has a stronger persuasion than other countries. Commercially, we are a little late compared with some of our neighboring countries like Germany and Italy," said Henri Proglio, president of the Committee of Honor of the French Year in China.

Before his state visit to China, Chirac will visit first Vietnam to participate in a Euro-Asia summit in Hanoi.

His last official visit to China dated October 2000 and his latest State visit to China was in May 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)