France has agreed to China's plan to set up a consulate on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, according to a Sino-French joint press communique issued in Beijing Sunday.

 The joint communique, issued during French President Jacques Chirac's state visit to China, says that the two countries are considering the mutual establishment of new consulates to promote bilateral exchanges.

The French government reiterates the one-China stance in the communique, and its opposition to Taiwan independence and any move to intensify tension across the Taiwan Strait.

The communique expresses the willingness of both countries to strengthen cooperation in civil nuclear usage, land transport, civil aviation, high and new technology, agriculture, environmental protection, automobile, service industry as well as in cultural and educational fields.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2004)